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Major operation in Roth: Hundreds of liters of nitric acid leaked!
There was a chemical accident in Roth today: hundreds of liters of nitric acid leaked. Fire brigade and emergency services on site.
Major operation in Roth: Hundreds of liters of nitric acid leaked!
A serious incident occurred this morning at the Nutrichem chemical plant in Roth. At around 4 a.m., a concerned employee alerted the fire department after several hundred liters of nitric acid leaked from a damaged container. A forklift caused the accident, releasing around 200 to 250 liters of the dangerous substance into the area. In this incident, one employee sustained minor injuries while the entire production site was immediately evacuated.
The fire department was on site with around 135 emergency services, including rescue services, technical relief organizations and police, to deal with the situation. The specialists worked on diluting the escaping acid and binding it with special binding agents. Proper disposal of the nitric acid is planned and will take place in the coming hours.
Responses and safety precautions
Due to the incident, the population was warned to take precautionary measures. According to the responsible authorities, Hiltner and Drescher, there is no acute danger to the residents. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief recommends keeping windows and doors closed and switching off ventilation and air conditioning systems. These recommendations are particularly important because nitric acid is considered acutely toxic at higher concentrations. According to the new classifications, it is classified as inhalation-hazardous from a concentration of over 26%; at levels above 70% it can even be life-threatening if inhaled, also indicating the need for safety measures.
The new classifications and special regulations for handling nitric acid came into force in 2016. These regulations require, among other things, annual training for employees who work with toxic substances and measures to reduce the risk of operational disruptions. Companies must ensure that toxic substances are stored and handled properly. The loss of significant quantities must be reported to the authorities immediately, as the current regulations make clear.
Experiences from the past
Similar incidents are not unknown. An alleged chemical accident involving nitric acid was recently reported in Leibnitz, which left the population in shock. Although this case involved an “unknown gas mixture,” it highlights the potential dangers that this corrosive substance can pose. Uncontrolled leaks can cause skin reactions and respiratory irritation.
To prevent future incidents, clear emergency plans and safety precautions are crucial. The responsible facilities must ensure that all employees are appropriately trained and can respond properly to emergencies. If nitric acid leaks, immediate measures must be taken, such as alerting rescue workers and evacuating endangered areas. Strict standards for personal protection such as special protective equipment and respiratory protection should be observed.
In light of today's incident, it is hoped that those responsible learn all the necessary lessons to ensure the safety of employees and residents. The situation at the chemical plant continues to be monitored, even though the first steps to deal with the incident have already been taken - an important sign that safety must be the top priority in the chemical industry.