Update: Y-12 chemical spill contained; less than 10 workers in building at time of spill

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:12 p.m.

The Purification Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge was evacuated Tuesday morning after a chemical spill, officials said. Fewer than 10 people were in the building at the time of the spill, and none were in the immediate area.

There were no injuries, and federal officials and Y-12 staff have accounted for all workers, the National Nuclear Security Administration said.

The spilled material is acetonitrile, a liquid solvent used in chemical processing operations, said Steven Wyatt of the NNSA.

Everyone was evacuated from the building, which is on the east end of the plant, Wyatt said. The spill was reported at 10:24 a.m. Tuesday.

Wyatt said he did not yet have some information, such as whether the workers were wearing protective gear and whether there was any damage to the building.

Y-12’s fire department responded and so did other emergency personnel at the plant.

“Appropriate precautionary protective actions have been initiated for Y-12 employees who are not involved in the emergency response,” a press release said.

The NNSA and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates the plant, said they will provide more information as it becomes available. The Media Center at New Hope Center has been activated.

Subsequent public information regarding the emergency will be made available on the following social media sites: Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.

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More information will be added as it becomes available.