Saturday, July 2, 2016

Chemical mix-up of hydrogen peroxide and rust remover forces residents to flee home in West Sadsbury, Pennsylvania



Chester County HazMat crews responded to a home in the 300 block of Quarry Road in West Sadsbury after the homeowner reportedly mixed hydrogen peroxide and rust remover together while trying to clean the water softener unit. The mixture created a noxious cloud forcing the residents out of the home. PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA


By Pete Bannan, Daily Local News


Posted: 06/30/16
PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA HazMat crews monitored air and ventilated the home in the 300 block of Quarry Road in West Sadsbury with the assistance of Keystone Valley Fire Company.



West Sadsbury >> Keystone Fire Company and Chester County HazMat were called to a home in the 300 block of Quarry Road at about noon Thursday after a resident reportedly mixed hydrogen peroxide and rust remover together while trying to clean the home’s water softener unit. The mixture created a noxious cloud forcing the resident out of the home.





Two residents at the home safely evacuated; they were checked by medical personnel but declined treatment. Crews monitored the air, ventilated the home and tested the substances that were mixed.





Chester County Chief HazMat Coordinator Jeff Emmons said the resident grabbed the wrong bottle causing the accident. He said the HazMat team is called for these kinds of accidents throughout the county every couple of months. Emmons recommended that county residents should clearly mark home chemical bottles and not mix chemicals unless called for in the instructions.





Gap Fire Company and Christiana Community Ambulance also responded to the incident.