September 14, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100062) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@ci.mobile.al.us TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK SPILLS CHEMICAL ON INTERSTATE Mobile Firefighters and Hazardous Material Technicians are still on the scene of a chemical spill that occurred on Southbound I-65 between Dauphin Street and Airport Blvd. The spill occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2000. The driver of the Delta Distributors Truck looked in his rearview mirror and noticed a vapor coming from the rear of his truck and pulled over in the median of the interstate. A passing motorist called 911 and reported the spill. When Haz Mat Technicians arrived the driver told them that he was carrying a 330-gallon container of 31% strength Muriatic Acid. The polyurethane plastic container with a wire cage around it, apparently busted open spilling the contents on the roadway. The container was carrying approximately 320 gallons of product and an estimated 300 gallons spilled. Mobile Police Department blocked 2 lanes of the southbound lane of I-65 while Haz Mat Technicians poured soda ash on the spilled product to neutralize it. A clean up contractor, U.S. Environmental Services, was called to the scene, using a large vacuum truck, for clean up and should have the area cleared after noon today. Muriatic Acid is used to clean brick, in pools and in bumper refurbishing. There was no immediate threat to the area and no evacuations were necessary. No injuries were reported. If direct exposure occurs the acid can burn the skin and eyes and cause breathing problems. Engines 15, 12, 7, truck 10, Haz mat 15, rescue 23, and acting District 3 Chief Captain V Pugh responded. ###