PRESS RELEASE
To: NEWSROOM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Asst. Chief Brian Crawford: 673-6652 or cell: 455-2609

February 22, 2007 - Chemical reaction causes acid/ammonia vapor cloud near downtown

Shreveport fire and hazardous material crews were called out

A chemical reaction at a local plant that produced a large vapor cloud near downtown caused some tense moments for fire department officials this morning. Shreveport fire and hazardous material crews were called out at 5:13 a.m. to Harcros Chemicals Inc., 1011 Jack Wells Boulevard, where they found a large white chemical vapor cloud around the plant and traveling southeast towards the Red River.

The cloud had been produced when the vapors from a damaged muriatic acid tank, located outside of the plant’s main building, came in contact with the vapors from a tanker truck that was off-loading Aqua Ammonia into another tank. The damaged tank was detected yesterday and scheduled for repairs today. Once the reaction was noticed the off-loading of the Ammonia was ceased. Coming into contact with the cloud of this type could be very harmful and produce respiratory difficulties as well as skin and eye irritation and burns.

Harcros employees were evacuated from some areas of the plant and others were told to shelter in place until the cloud dissipated. SAIA Motor Freight Lines, Inc., 1006 Airport Drive, employees were also notified to shelter in place as they were the only other occupancy in the path of the cloud. Jack Wells Boulevard was closed by Shreveport Police until just before 6:00 a.m. when Fire Officials gave the “all-clear” and terminated the incident. The Louisiana State Police were notified and will be taking over the incident for investigation.

The chemical compound muriatic (hydrochloric) acid is the aqueous (water-based) solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCl). It is a strong acid, the major component of gastric acid and of wide industrial use. Hydrochloric acid must be handled with appropriate safety precautions because it is a highly corrosive liquid. Aqua Ammonia (ammonia hydroxide) is a solution of ammonia gas in water, a common commercial form of ammonia. It is a colorless liquid with a strong characteristic odor. In concentrated form it can cause burns on contact with the skin; ordinary household ammonia, used as a cleanser.

No injuries were reported during the incident. ###