Firefighters tackle spill of highly corrosive acid on Highland road
Team worked to keep toxic liquid from reaching Loch Ness
Published:
Firefighters wearing chemical protection suits tackled a toxic acid spill which shut an Inverness-shire road for six hours yesterday.
A 16-mile stretch of road was closed and a 600ft exclusion zone imposed after a barrel containing formic acid – which can cause severe chemical burns – burst while in transit.
The fish-farm industry chemical was being transported to the west coast in a Gael Force Marine van, and the driver was said to have been “overcome” by fumes when he discovered the leak.
He was taken from the scene of the crash at Levishie, four miles west of Invermoriston, to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, as a precaution, and left yesterday afternoon.
Exposure to formic acid can cause chemical burns and permanent eye damage, while inhaling the vapours can cause burns in the lungs.
Police closed the entire length of the A887 Bunloyne-Invermoriston road shortly after 9am.
A 600ft cordon was put in place, with only firefighters who were wearing chemical protection suits allowed to cross the line.
Fire officers found that a number of drums, including the one that had ruptured, had been removed from the van by the driver and another Gael Force driver who was following behind, before the arrival of fire crews.
About two-thirds of the formic acid contained in the barrel had leaked into the van and on to a layby.
Absorbent pads were laid on the ground so the acid did not run off into the River Moriston, which flows into Loch Ness, but Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) officers were yesterday warning residents who live downstream of the incident “to minimise the risk to themselves and their properties”.
A team of four firefighters used a container to decant the contents of the split barrel before the area could be declared safe. The road reopened at 3pm.
David Guthrie, managing director of Inverness-based Gael Force Group, said: “The vehicle had all the required safety equipment, including personal protective clothing, a respiratory mask and a clean-up kit.
“The driver is not required to wear any protective equipment while driving.
“We will be thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and will then consider whether or not there are additional procedures or measures we need to put in place.”
A Sepa spokesman said: “We have taken the precaution of notifying people downstream of the incident and are advising them of precautions they can take to minimise the risk to themselves and their properties.”
The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
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