Workers from a commercial cleanup company place a leaking nitric acid package in a secure container along Administration Road on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Tom Scott)
The cardboard container contained one liter of nitric acid, and the delivery had been refused at the Y-12 National Security Complex because the bottom of the package was wet, the FedEx driver told Oak Ridge firefighters.
The delivery driver checked the 11-pound package at his next stop, and he found fluid leaking out of it and immediately called 911, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said in a Tuesday afternoon statement.
The Oak Ridge Fire Department responded at about 1 p.m. Tuesday.  The truck was parked at Apex Office Supply at 120 Administration Road, and the package was in the back of the truck.
Kerley said the fire department secured a 150-foot perimeter, and FedEx contacted their cleanup contractor to respond and mitigate the situation.
Kerley said there were no injuries.
Y-12 spokeswoman Ellen Boatner confirmed that the plant refused the shipment. She said Y-12 uses nitric acid for many tasks.
ORFD Battalion Chief Todd Derrick was the incident commander.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Mike Coveyou says
Obviously, Y-12 could not tolerate receiving a leaking container of acid; however, if they knew what was in the package (not clear fromn the story), why not call HAZMAT right away? Could the driver have been injured or gotten ill from the leak? (I am not familiar with the properties of or risks from nitric acid.)
Johnny Beck says
It depends on the concentration of the solution, what if anything it was mixed with, and what it contacted when it leaked. It is normally diluted, or mixed with other acids. It is very damaging to skin on contact. It can cause violent reactions if it contacts certain metals or chemicals. It can give off toxic fumes depending on concentration, mixture, and what it comes in contact with.
It’s allowable to ship it in approved glass, plastic, or earthenware containers enclosed in approved cardboard packaging, or enclosed in metal cans or drums, which would be my choice.