Mexico City tanker truck overturns, spilling hydrochloric acid

[News_Editor]

Mexico City tanker truck overturns, spilling hydrochloric acid

2011-12-28 08:11:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- A truck carrying hydrochloric acid overturned in the eastern part of Mexico City on Tuesday morning, forcing local authorities to evacuate neighboring residents.

The accident occurred in the capital's Revolution neighborhood near Oceania Avenue when the driver of the tanker truck lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn. Because the tank had been punctured, dozens of liters (gallons) of the chemical substance leaked.

Mexico City's Civil Protection Secretary Elias Miguel Moreno Brizuela confirmed that at least two blocks surrounding the scene had been evacuated, while other residents in the neighborhood have been put on alert.

The tanker truck spilled more than 100 liters (26.4 U.S. gallons) of hydrochloric acid, which can have a corrosive effect on human tissue, potentially damaging the respiratory organs, eyes, skin, and intestines.

Although emergency services were quick to respond and filled the punctured hole with sand, acid continued to leak out. Moreno Brizuela underlined the importance of lifting the truck back up as soon as possible, and five cranes were deployed to assist in doing so.

It is unclear how long it will take to lift the truck and clean up the spill before residents can be allowed to return home.

Hydrochloric acid, when mixed with common oxidizing chemicals such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite), the substance transforms into the toxic gas known as chlorine.

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