A failed valve caused approximately 6000 gallons of 93% sulfuric acid to leak at the Univar facility in Norcross, Georgia. Although secondary containment captured the majority of the material; approximately 100 gallons breached the containment and entered a storm drain which leads to a drainage ditch. Some material entered a gated culvert in that drainage ditch before the facilty closed the gate valve prevented further release of product into the drainage ditch.
Univar responded to the spill and also hired a response contractor. In the initial 12 hours after the spill was discovered, Univar recovered approximately 4000 gallons of the spilled sulfuric acid.
The facilty plans to continue to pump off the material and neutralize it in an on site waste water treatment facilty.
