A chemical spill of hydrochloric acid at the AZZ Galvanizing Service at 446 St. Anthony Parkway on Aug. 1 was quickly contained by Minneapolis Fire Department hazmat crew.
One employee of the company was taken to the hospital after breathing the fumes.
Workers were loading a large container of the acid onto a truck at about 11:15 a.m., when it fell and split open. Between 150 and 200 gallons of the acid spilled and was heading downhill toward the parkway and the storm sewers.
Employees immediately tried to contain the spill by creating a temporary dam and a dike in the company’s shipping yard. There was a small amount of “off-gassing” caused by the acid mixing with rain water.
The Fire Department blocked off the parkway, adjacent to the Columbia Golf Course, and used soda ash to neutralize the acid. Fire crews put on their self-contained breathing apparatus masks and had the company employees put on their respirators.
The off-gassing was dissipated, although eight employees were evaluated by paramedics at the scene for respiratory irritation, and one was sent to the hospital for further evaluation.
The spill was neutralized about an hour and 15 minutes after it occurred. The storm sewers were flushed.
First District Councilman Elliot Payne said, “I spoke with the Public Works and the sewers that were flushed after the spill were storm water sewers, and there’s no impact on people’s homes.”
A spokesperson for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said, “The MPCA is aware of the incident and we are investigating.”
The Northeaster contacted the AZZ corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, but the company’s attorney replied, “AZZ has no comment on this matter.”
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is investigating a hydrochloric acid spill at AZZ Galvanizing Service, 446 St. Anthony Pkwy. (Al Zdon)