August 25, 2005

Toxic tanker leak stops traffic, threatens nearby neighborhood

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Approximately 50-60 residents along highway 101 and Bernal Road got a scare the morning of Aug. 18 along with a police-issued “shelter in place” order after a southbound tanker carrying more than 500 gallons of a sulfuric and nitric acid mixture started leaking through a corroded valve.

Hazardous materials teams in ventilated suits prepare to transfer the remaining acid from the leaky tanker into another waiting nearby. Photos by Kymberli Brady

Residents were ordered to stay indoors with their windows closed and air conditioning off until a replacement rig arrived so that nearly 75 members of the California Highway Patrol, the San Jose Fire Department, and Milpitas Hazard Materials experts could transfer the toxic liquid to another tanker and clean up the spill.

While authorities said air-monitoring tests showed no signs of sulfuric acid in the air, they warned of the dangers surrounding its toxicity. More commonly known as battery acid, it is very poisonous and can be fatal if inhaled or swallowed. It can also cause blindness, lung injury and permanent scarring.

According to San Jose Fire Captain Michael Shaw, roughly 100 gallons ended up on the ground, while an additional 200 gallons were captured in containment vessels. Hazmat teams were able to pump the remaining acid from the truck into another tanker.

The freeway was closed for more than four-and-a-half hours, impacting commutes from Gilroy to the South Bay to Salinas and Monterey, but opened back up in time for the evening commute.