Two people were injured in a chemical spill at a crematorium in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Saturday 7 October 2017. The incident happened at about 1.50 pm local time, when a quantity of highly corrosive Potassium Hydroxide was released at the site, requiring the affected workers to receive hospital treatment for burns, and the site to be decontaminated by firefighters and EMS Environmental employees.
Decontamination procedures at the site of the 7 October 2017 Virginia Beach Potassium Hydroxide spill. Virginia Beach Fire Department.
Potassium Hydroxide is a highly corrosive basic chemical used in the manufacture of soaps, biodiesal and a variety of petrochemicals and potassium products. The chemical is also used in a process called 'biocremation', marketed as an environmentally friendly, 'water-based' and 'acid-free' alternative to regular cremation, which involves dissolving the bodies in a high temperature pressurised container, containing a solution of Potassium Hydroxide.
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