Acid Leak Spurs S.C. Evacuations

May 12--ANDERSON, S.C. -- What was described as an active small chemical leak on Interstate 85 drew major attention from Upstate safety personnel Monday.

Anderson and Oconee County deputies and hazardous-material teams, along with South Carolina Highway Patrol, state Department of Transportation and Department of Health and Environmental Services converged at mile marker nine in response to a sporadic hydrogen chloride leak from a transport truck.

Firefighters from at least two volunteer fire departments and EMS personnel were also on the scene throughout the day.

DHEC officials issued a mandatory evacuation for three homes on Penny Lane, all within a half-mile of the leak. Five other homes were issued a voluntary evacuation notice, according to Anderson County deputy emergency director Matthew Littleton.

The Red Cross of the Western Carolinas established an overnight shelter at the Double Springs Baptist Church in Townville for residents who were evacuated. Evacuees were being provided food, beverages and overnight shelter.

Littleton said all of the evacuations were precautionary.

"We want to have all the resources at hand, just in case the situation worsens -- but we're not expecting that," Littleton said late Monday morning, about three hours after a highway patrol official at the weigh station noticed the leak on the truck transporting hydrogen chloride.

Officials decided it was not necessary to reroute I-85 traffic because the chemical dissipates rapidly in the air, Littleton said.

The truck was parked within 50 yards of I-85's northbound traffic.

The problem came from a pressure-release valve, Littleton said, that was sporadically leaking small amounts of the chemical into the air.

Hydrogen chloride, used commonly at industrial sites, forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric humidity. Inhalation of the fumes can cause serious respiratory problems.

"Everyone in the area is safe at this point," Littleton said Monday, standing about 400 feet from the leak.

"If we have to shut down I-85 we will," Littleton said. "But at this point, I don't expect that."

The truck was operated by GenOx Transportation Inc., of LaPorte, Tex. It specializes in transport of liquid hydrogen, among other hazardous substances. Representatives from GenOx were en route from Texas on Monday, and are expected to arrive Tuesday.

The size of the leak had not been determined Monday.

A Red Cross evacuation center at the Double Springs Baptist Church, about a half-mile from the site of the leak, also provided meals and refreshments for emergency responders at the scene.

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