MAY 15, 2015
Eight people had to be treated for breathing problems
after a large hydrochloric acid spill in the 800 block of 50th
Street in Saskatoon's north end.
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South
Saskatchewan River
They were checked over by ambulance crews, but officials
said that none of the eight had to be taken to hospital.
Some buildings nearby were also evacuated as a precaution,
according to CBC reporters at the scene. But it's unclear exactly how many people were
asked to leave the immediate area.
A 9-1-1 call came in around 9:15 a.m. CST from Pounder Emulsions,
which is a division of Husky Oil. As
much as 10,000 litres of hydrochloric acid may have spilled at the
site. Clean up of the site will begin this evening.
Police blocked off the area and urged the public
to stay away. Roadblocks went up at Wentz and Cleveland
Avenues on 50th and 51st Streets.
Hydrochloric acid is a clear liquid, poisonous and
highly corrosive.
The U.S National Institutes of Health said that the symptoms
of poisoning from breathing hydrochloric acid include choking,
coughing up blood, dizziness, rapid pulse and shortness of breath.
Anyone who believes they have been exposed to the chemical
should seek immediate medical attention.
Cleaning up
The Saskatoon Fire Department said clean-up will start later
this evening, but businesses in the area will remain closed as a precaution.
The crews expect to work on cleaning up from 8:00 CST
to midnight, and will evaluate progress at that point.
Source: http://www.cbc.ca