Hazmat teams are working on the scene of Thatcher Company of Arizona as it faces it's second nitric acid spill in year.
Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department, along with hazmat teams from Goodyear Fire Department, Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, Surprise Fire Department, and Phoenix Fire Department, responded to the leak at the facility on Rainbow Road between Southern and Broadway at 2:21 p.m., according to Phoenix Regional Dispatch Center.
"Approximately 3,500 gallons of nitric acid spilled into a 5,000-gallon retention basin designed for containment. Upon arrival, hazmat teams swiftly assessed the situation and confirmed that the scene was stable, with no adverse chemical reactions occurring," BFD Assistant Fire Chief Rayne Gray said. "As a precaution, RAVE alerts were sent to notify the community to avoid the area, while reassuring residents that there was no immediate danger."
As of 3:45 p.m., crews were conducting air quality monitoring before turning the site over to the responsible party for cleanup, according to Gray.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced last year that it had completed an onsite investigation at Thatcher's Buckeye plant where more than 10,460 pounds of toxic nitric
acid leaked and caused a gaseous reaction June 28, 2024. Read more about Thatcher Company's previous violations here.
One Response
Nitric acid is highly corrosive and toxic. Workers risk chemical burns and lung damage, while residents could face respiratory issues if fumes spread. With two spills in a year, stronger safety measures are a must.