HazMat Team Cleans up Small Nitric Acid Spill at SHU [Updated]

Update as of 6:15 p.m. on March 26:

Following a cleanup by the fire department's HazMat Team, Fairfield firefighters have turned the scene over to a private contractor to complete remediation of the chemicals.

At 4:47 p.m., HazMat technicians made entry into a Sacred Heart University classroom and found a small amount of 65% Nitric Acid on the floor, counter and sink, and two open containers. The technicians replaced the tops on the containers and wiped up the product using Chemsorb pads, placing all within the hood system, according to HazMat Operations Officer Assistant Chief Schuyler Sherwood. 

The HazMat Team left the building at 5:19 p.m., and Connecticut Tank Removal was called by SHU officials to remove remaining product and absorbent materials from the lab.

“Unfortunately we needed to secure the first and second floors of the SC Wing while entry was being made to ensure that the atmosphere was not contaminated,” explained Sherwood. 

“While classes can resume at this time, evening classes that start by 5 p.m. needed to be cancelled,” said Paul Healy, Emergency Management Executive Director at Sacred Heart University. “Classes will resume their normal schedule tomorrow.”

Our original report follows:

The Fairfield Fire Department's HazMat team has responded to a minor chemical reaction of sulfuric and nitric acids in the Main Administrative Building at Sacred Heart University.

The report came in at 2:48 p.m. Firefighters reported that two students in SC 111 Chemistry Lab on the first floor had been working in the lab with a small amount of nitric acid when a foaming reaction occurred. The two students were not injured.

At this time (4:20 p.m.) HazMat Team members are preparing to make entry and assess the atmosphere for hazards. As a precautionary measure, the first and second floor of SC wing have been evacuated. 

The fire department said it expects to have the situation remediated within the next several hours.