L.A. Chemical To Pay $10,000 In Penalties

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced today that L.A. Chemical will pay $10,000 in civil penalties under a Consent Judgment for a February 2005 spill of nearly 300 gallons of hydrofluorosilicic acid that shut down part of downtown Phoenix for several hours & sent several people to the hospital for treatment.

"Any spill of dangerous acid is extremely serious," Owens said. "This situation was especially unacceptable because part of downtown Phoenix had to be shut down to deal with it & the health & safety of a number of people were put at risk."

The spill occurred when a container of hydrofluorosilicic acid leaked inside a semi-truck operated by L.A. Chemical that was traveling through downtown Phoenix. The acid left a trail on city streets starting at 7th Ave. & Grant Ave. & continuing north over the 7th Ave. Bridge to Monroe St. The truck stopped near 5th Ave. & Madison after the leak was discovered.

Police reports show that an officer on the scene observed that the container was not secured & also had sustained impacts on 4 sides. Though it was company policy to secure acid containers to the truck, the driver told the officer he had failed to comply.

Hydrofluorosilicic acid is harmful by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Because of the risk from the spill, the Phoenix Fire & Police Departments closed off the affected area & several surrounding blocks in downtown Phoenix for nearly 12 hours until approx., 10 p.m. to reduce the possibility of exposure & allow for clean-up of the acid. Sixteen people plus the driver were treated at local hospitals for possible exposure to the acid.

The Consent Judgment is subject to Court approval.