Eureka, MO - 2/15/2001

Acid Chemical Spill at Eureka Senior High School Causes Student Evacuation and Property Loss

Eureka, Missouri – On February 15, 2001, the Eureka Fire Protection District (EFPD) responded to a chemical spill in the school lab building, Room 113. Upon entering the accident scene, fire safety personnel found multiple glass containers broken on the floor. As fire fighters questioned the school staff about the accident school personnel stated that they thought the spill to be acids and proceeded to dump neutralizers on the acids. School staff also stated that they did not know how the different acids would act together. The fire department evacuated an estimated 200 youth and adults from the school and obtained MSDS forms. Fire safety officials determined that additional neutralizers were needed. “Hot zones” were established and normal HazMat protocols were followed.

The school administration was advised by the fire safety officials to notify a cleanup company, which was the Safety-Kleen Corporation. As the fire department waited for the cleanup crew to arrive, all contaminated equipment was placed in the hot zone and other equipment was decontaminated. Because of the contaminated equipment, returning fire department units remained out of commission until replacement gear could be located.

The EFPD identified six (6) different acids in the spill: formic acid, phospheric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid. The EFPD also reported that the chemical spill was unintentional and due to construction deficiency. According to Deputy Chief Randy Gabel, “Normally, we keep personnel out of the actual spill area because of its close location in a small room and because, even after we arrived, another shelf or two fell spilling more material and almost causing a fire when some of the spilled liquid ran off a counter top into an electrical outlet causing a flash and then, fortunately, popping the electrical breaker. Because of the very unsafe condition of the scene, a couple of firefighters proceed into the room to stabilize the situation. We then poured stabilizer on the product, backed out and waited for the clean up crew.”

Total costs to respond to the chemical spill and cleanup the accidents is estimated conservatively at over $25,000. Four (4) sets of fire department gear were ruined. Total loss of $4,400.00 loss for the EFPD. Cost for actual fire response to Eureka High School is estimated at $12,000. Safety-Kleen’s cleanup costs for a typical chemical spill similar to the Eureka accident is $4,200. Rockwood School District estimated cost for classroom restoration, personnel time, and loss of student ADA monies is $5,000.

CHEMIS 4.0, at $149 per year for Eureka HS, presents a best practices approach to chemical use, storage, and disposal. Had Eureka Senior High School been utilizing CHEMIS 4.0, this accidental acid spill would have been prevented. Quick response by the EFPD and their willingness to risk their own personal safety averted a disaster…this time.

CHEMIS - Chemical Health & Environmental Management Information System -
	Acid Chemical Spill at Eureka Senior High School Causes Student Evacuation and Property Loss Eureka, Missouri – On February 15, 2001, the Eureka Fire Protection District (EFPD) responded to a chemical spill in the school lab building, Room 113. Upon entering the accident scene, fire safety personnel found multiple glass containers broken on the floor. As fire fighters questioned the school staff about the accident school personnel stated that they thought the spill to be acids and proceeded to dump neutralizers on the acids. School staff also stated that they did not know how the different acids would act together. The fire department evacuated an estimated 200 youth and adults from the school and obtained MSDS forms. Fire safety officials determined that additional neutralizers were needed. “Hot zones” were established and normal HazMat protocols were followed. The school administration was advised by the fire safety officials to notify a cleanup company, which was the Safety-Kleen Corporation. As the fire department waited for the cleanup crew to arrive, all contaminated equipment was placed in the hot zone and other equipment was decontaminated. Because of the contaminated equipment, returning fire department units remained out of commission until replacement gear could be located. The EFPD identified six (6) different acids in the spill: formic acid, phospheric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid. The EFPD also reported that the chemical spill was unintentional and due to construction deficiency. According to Deputy Chief Randy Gabel, “Normally, we keep personnel out of the actual spill area because of its close location in a small room and because, even after we arrived, another shelf or two fell spilling more material and almost causing a fire when some of the spilled liquid ran off a counter top into an electrical outlet causing a flash and then, fortunately, popping the electrical breaker. Because of the very unsafe condition of the scene, a couple of firefighters proceed into the room to stabilize the situation. We then poured stabilizer on the product, backed out and waited for the clean up crew.” Total costs to respond to the chemical spill and cleanup the accidents is estimated conservatively at over $25,000. Four (4) sets of fire department gear were ruined. Total loss of $4,400.00 loss for the EFPD. Cost for actual fire response to Eureka High School is estimated at $12,000. Safety-Kleen’s cleanup costs for a typical chemical spill similar to the Eureka accident is $4,200. Rockwood School District estimated cost for classroom restoration, personnel time, and loss of student ADA monies is $5,000. *CHEMIS 4.0, at $149 per year for Eureka HS, presents a best practices approach to chemical use, storage, and disposal. Had Eureka Senior High School been utilizing CHEMIS 4.0*, this accidental acid spill would have been prevented. Quick response by the EFPD and their willingness to risk their own personal safety averted a disaster…this time.	Back to Top


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