"Business as usual" following nitric acid leak in Berea
Oct. 12—Sierra Marling
A nitric acid spill at Mastronardi Produce USA left parents scrambling to pick up their children from Farristown School yesterday.
"There wasn't a leak inside the building. There was a third-party truck that pulled up to the building that was already leaking. They were there to deliver some supplies, and that is what caught fire. The appropriate authorities were called, and there were no injuries reported. and we have received the all clear to continue operations," said a Mastronardi Produce spokesperson.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Exposure to nitric acid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and mucous membrane; it can also cause delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis, and dental erosion. Nitric acid is highly corrosive...The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done."
Officials say that crews were able to quickly evacuate the area and contain the spill and that a hazardous material team that specializes in the handling of chemicals arrived to further assist in the neutralization, removal, and disposal of the spill.
According to officials from the Berea Fire Department, there are no threats posed to the community or environment. Additionally, there were no injuries were reported. Responders left the scene at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday night after it had been neutralized, decontaminated, and cleared by all emergency personnel.
A spokesperson from Madison County Schools confirmed that the school system was in contact with Berea Fire Police Chief Shawn Sandlin and Judge Executive Reagan Taylor, developing "a contingency plan" if it was determined it would not be safe to have students and staff in the buildings at Farristown Middle, Ignite Academy South Campus, and the Berea Bus Garage.
"Thankfully, the leak was cleared in plenty of time for the district to conduct business as usual," the official said.
However, a Berea parent, who wished to remain anonymous, relayed concern and anxiety from the incident.
She said that her son was at a sports practice at Farristown Middle School when she received a call to come get him. When she first got the call, she said she was not given reliable information about what was happening, leading to panic.
"At this point, I had no clue what was happening. You always think the worst when you get no further information about a situation involving your kids. He said they told them to go to the locker room and stay calm."
She expressed that the kids were scared and that the fear followed her family home, leaving her son with issues sleeping and anxiety about school the next day, as he was worried there would be remnants of the chemical in the air.
As a parent, she was critical of how the situation was handled, saying, "They need to have the guidance counselor there available for all those kids. I cannot imagine being in their shoes today. The guidance counselor — and the city — need to make an announcement and let the people who live around and have kids that have to go to that school tomorrow, that they are safe."
There were no specific support services placed in schools today; however, the Madison County Schools spokesperson said, "If any student or parent has specific concerns, we will address those on a case-by-case basis."
