Arizona tanker truck rolls over, leaks hazardous material
A hazardous chemical leak from a rollover crash involving a commercial tanker truck closed Interstate 10 in both directions in Tucson, Arizona on Tuesday evening.
Arizona authorities announced Wednesday morning that a Tuesday afternoon shelter-in-place order following a deadly rollover that resulted in a hazmat spill has been reinstated.
"The shelter-in-place order is extended to a three-mile perimeter around the incident location," the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in an updated alert. "Unified Command will actively monitor within these boundaries to ensure public safety and assess the need for possible changes to existing evacuations and shelter-in-place orders."
The order was originally for a one-mile perimeter around the incident before it was extended just before 9:40 a.m. local time. Residents were advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes of travel, and the department said that Unified Command anticipates an "extensive closure."
Anyone within a three-mile perimeter of the incident was instructed to turn off heaters as well as air conditioning systems that bring in outside air.
This image provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety shows what the department says was an accident involving a commercial tanker truck that caused a hazardous material to leak onto Interstate 10 outside Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, prompting state troopers to shut down traffic on the freeway. (Arizona Department of Public Safety via AP)
The department had said the evacuation order was expected to be lifted at 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday before it was canceled. Residents were advised to expect to remain displaced until mid-day.
The crash of a commercial tanker truck caused liquid nitric acid to leak onto Interstate 10 outside of Tucson, shutting down the highway and forcing evacuations. The freeway remains closed in both directions between Kolb and Rita roads.
Motorists were advised to find an alternate route and avoid the area.
All residents within a half a mile were initially ordered to leave and those within a mile were told to shelter in place for several hours. Authorities said recovery and mitigation efforts on the hazardous materials experienced temporary setbacks overnight due to weather conditions.
Crews have removed the hazardous material from the truck and were using dirt to prevent gas in the air.
This image provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety shows what the department says was an accident involving a commercial tanker truck that caused a hazardous material to leak onto Interstate 10 outside Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (Arizona Department of Public Safety via AP)
The University of Arizona Tech Park was among the areas evacuated and the Arizona Daily Star reported that some schoolchildren in Rita Ranch were among those who sheltered in place.
ARIZONA AUTHORITIES ISSUE EVACUATION, SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDERS AFTER NITRIC ACID SPILL
On Tuesday, Arizona U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten, both Democrats, said they were following the developments of the spill.
This image provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety shows what the department says was an accident involving a commercial tanker truck outside Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (Arizona Department of Public Safety via AP)
The driver of the truck was killed. Nitric acid is used to make ammonium nitrate for fertilizers and in the manufacture of plastics and dyes.
Exposure to nitric acid can irritate the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Depending on the dosage, it also can also cause delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis and dental erosion.
This Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, image provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety shows an accident involving a commercial tanker truck outside Tucson, Arizona. (Arizona Department of Public Safety via AP)
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It is a highly corrosive, colorless liquid with yellow or red fumes and can cause an acrid smell, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Pima County Health Department released a guidance webpage about the chemical spill for anyone concerned about possibly being exposed to fumes.
"Motorists who drove through the plume yesterday before the highway was closed are likely OK, @AzPDIC, says, as the exposure was less than 15 minutes," authorities said. "But if you think you have symptoms, call your doctor or seek medical care. PCHD has provided guidance to area med providers."
The Associated press contributed to this report.
