Worker Splashed in Face With Acid

Firefighters responded to a hazmat situation at a city warehouse this morning that left a worker hospitalized.

Nitric acid splashed in the face of a worker at a electroplating production facility along the 5100 block of Comly in Northeast Philadelphia’s Tacony neighborhood around 5:30 a.m. Friday, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.

According to first responders, about 30 gallons of acid leaked from a 55-gallon drum inside Hillock Anodizing Inc.'s two-story building.

An initial investigation revealed that workers were moving the drum when a hose on top of it came loose, splashing an employee in the face.

The unidentified worker was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Nitric acid is a highly-corrosive liquid that is commonly found in fertilizers and explosives. In this case it was being used to put chrome on bumpers, according to firefighters.

Crews entered the building and contained the leaking acid.

It took firefighters less than one hour to contain the leak.

The fire marshal remained on the scene to continue the investigation.

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