20 Sept 2014

Tipped tanker with flouride chemicals

CLEARFIELD — A tanker carrying chemicals nearly tipped over Friday in Clearfield, causing major traffic delays as crews worked to prevent it from spilling.

The vehicle was transporting the chemical hydrofluorosilicic to a large Clearfield water tank at the intersection of State Road 193 and University Park Boulevard around 11 a.m. when it tipped partially over on a steep embankment.

At about 12 p.m., SR 193 was closed off between 1500 East in Clearfield to Hill Field Road in Layton in case of an acid spill. These roads were closed for about three hours, snarling traffic nearby. Hill Air Force Base, the Weber State University-Davis campus and Clearfield High School were affected by the gridlock.

The fluoride ingredient is regularly added to that water tank, fire officials said, but can be hazardous if spilled in large amounts. Hydrofluorosilicic is corrosive in high concentration; in extreme amounts, like the 36,000 gallons nearly spilled Friday, it can cause breathing problems if inhaled.

No fluoridation - no tankers on the streets.

1 comment:

rcannard said...

I couldn't help but notice the comment left at the end of the article was more concerned about the traffic snarl up than what this vehicle was carrying and the harm it could do if spilt...