Five workers have required hospital treatment following a nitric acid spill at a transport yard in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Wednesday 20 January 2021. The incident happened after a 1000 litre container of the acid was punctured by a forklift truck at the Owens Transport yard in Middleton, at about 12.30 pm local time. Twenty five staff working at the premises were evacuated while the spill was cleared by specialist teams from Fire and Emergency New Zealand. The site is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Emergency services attend a transport yard following a chemical spill on 20 January 2021. John Kirk-Anderson/Stuff.
Nitric Acid is a colourless but extremely strong smelling liquid, it is highly corrosive and acts as an oxidising agent. Exposure to the skin can cause severe chemical burns, and inhaling the vapour can result in severe respiratory problems. Calcium Carbonate will react with Nitric Acid to produce Carbon Dioxide, Water and Calcium Nitrate (an largely inert white powder that absorbs water), so Nitric Acid spills can be tackled by adding Calcium Carbonate until the reaction stops fizzing, then clearing up the end product, a mixture of Calcium Nitrate, Calcium Carbonate and Water.
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