Search

4 Hospitalized After Nitric Acid Release in NJ

Posted on 8/19/2022 by Nick Waldron and Roger Marks

Four people—two police officers and two trucking company employees—were transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure after first responders reported to the scene of a suspected nitric acid release in New Jersey last week.

A container thought to contain the acid was found leaking and smoking in the parking lot of a trucking company on Wednesday evening. Though the release was contained to a small area, the South Plainfield Police Department advised residents nearby to stay indoors while the situation was monitored. The business was reportedly evacuated.

Local fire, EMS, police, and emergency response teams arrived at the scene, along with other state and local emergency responders. The cause of the release has not yet been determined.  

The release illustrates the importance of proper packaging and transportation of hazardous materials, as well as effective training for individuals who respond to emergency hazardous substance releases. 

4 Hospitalized After Nitric Acid Release in NJ

Transportation of Nitric Acid 

Nitric acid is a colorless and highly corrosive liquid. At various concentrations, it is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastics, and explosives; as a component in adhesives; for cleaning metal and metal etching; as a cleaning product; and more.

Symptoms of exposure can be as minor as eye irritation or as severe as pneumonitis or bronchitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

In transportation, nitric acid (UN 2031) is regulated as a Class 8 hazardous material. It may also exhibit a subsidiary hazard of Division 5.1 (oxidizer), depending on the concentration. Nitric acid is on the list of hazardous substances found in Appendix A to the 172.101 Hazmat Table. Releases of more than 1,000 lbs. at one time must be reported immediately.

In 2018, stricter requirements for nitric acid packaged in glass containers took effect. PHMSA bolstered these regulations in response to a rulemaking petition from carriers concerned about incidents in transportation. The regulations now require intermediate packaging for glass inner packagings containing nitric acid in concentrations of less than 90% (49 CFR 173.158(e)).

Training for Hazmat Shippers and Emergency Responders

US DOT requires training for all “hazmat employees” who prepare hazardous materials for transportation. Lion offers hazmat training to help satisfy US DOT requirements in public workshops, live webinars, and self-paced online courses for employees at all levels of responsibility and experience—from packagers and shipping clerks to transportation and logistics managers.

Under OSHA’s HAZWOPER Standard, employees who respond to emergency releases of hazardous substances must be trained to safely perform their role during a response. An illustrated guide at Lion.com/HAZWOPER outlines the five levels of emergency responder, and the OSHA training requirements for employees at each level.

Emergency Response: Which HAZWOPER Training is Right for Me?
 
 

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Four key considerations to help you maximize the convenience and quality of your experience with online training.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.