A Chemical Scare in Norphlet, Arkansas
By: Alyssa Corfont
Updated: April 17, 2009
There's a chemical scare in Norphlet, Arkansas: a tank was found there with the potential to leak a highly dangerous chemical. The sheriff tells us that nothing has leaked yet, but the danger is so high that he cancelled classes at the public schools on Friday.
Norphlet Chemical hasn't been in operation for the past 2 years, but more than 30,000 gallons of chemicals still sit at the plant. It was one 7,800 gallon tank, holding Hydrofluoric Acid that Homeland Security discovered had the potential to leak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this acid can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. In high concentrations, it can even kill you. You can find out more about this acid at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/hydrofluoricacid/basics/facts.asp
Because of this dangerous situation, Sheriff Ken Jones called the EPA in to investigate. The Sheriff assures folks that there has not been a leak yet and they're making plans to stop them from happening in the future. The EPA is making plans to move the chemicals into a more secure container, which could take days. So the Sheriff will be waiting through the weekend to make a decision about Norphlet students attending class on Monday.
Norphlet Chemical hasn't been in operation for the past 2 years, but more than 30,000 gallons of chemicals still sit at the plant. It was one 7,800 gallon tank, holding Hydrofluoric Acid that Homeland Security discovered had the potential to leak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this acid can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. In high concentrations, it can even kill you. You can find out more about this acid at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/hydrofluoricacid/basics/facts.asp
Because of this dangerous situation, Sheriff Ken Jones called the EPA in to investigate. The Sheriff assures folks that there has not been a leak yet and they're making plans to stop them from happening in the future. The EPA is making plans to move the chemicals into a more secure container, which could take days. So the Sheriff will be waiting through the weekend to make a decision about Norphlet students attending class on Monday.
