BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS and TIM BONFIELD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Officials gave the all-clear to residents near the Hilton Davis Chemical Co. before dawn today after a leaking tanker sent a cloud of nitric acid into the air just before midnight, forcing evacuation of the Bond Hill plant and triggering emergency procedures in the area.
Folliwng the spill, Cincinnati fire officials reported a widespread vapor cloud drifting over the area and declared a hazardous materials emergency, blocking off streets, urging residents to stay indoors and setting up plans for emergency shelters.
The cloud, which had been 2 miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide, had disipated by morning and officials were saying there was no longer any danger in going outdoors.
No injuries were reported.
About 150 gallons was spilled from a 3,000-gallon truck, fire officials said. Fire crews in full hazardous-materials gear sprayed foam and by 1 a.m. had begun to suppress the vapors, officials said.
Three alarms were issued to provide personnel and equipment to control the situation. Sirens were sounded to warn residents to stay indoors.
Employees working when the leak occurred immediately evacuated the plant area, police said. A Metro bus was being brought in to provide shelter for those employees.
At the time, Norwood Police Lt. Mike Wheeler said his department was advising its residents to to stay indoors. “As long as people stay inside, they'll be OK,” he said.
Lt. Wheeler, who formerly worked as a chemist at the Hilton Davis plant, said the nitric acid vapors “can cause a little burning of the skin, to the throat and a watering of the eyes.”
Nitric acid is used in industrial rust cleaners and to make pigments and dyes; it generates nitrous oxide once it gets into the air.
It can cause severe burns and delayed lung injury if inhaled.
Police officers who were blocking off traffic to streets around the chemical plant on Langdon Farm Road were being advised to remain in their vehicles.
At the fire station at Montgomery and Langdon Farm roads, fire equipment was on standby, its personnel awaiting orders.
Hilton Davis, a maker of pigments and dyes, about 360. It is owned by B.F. Goodrich Co.
Joseph Wessels contributed to this report.
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