KUCHING: The hazardous materials management (HAZMAT) team from the Tabuan Jaya fire station has successfully decontaminated an acid spill at the Semenggok Agricultural Research Centre, Mile 12, yesterday (July 31).
According to a spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Department, the incident was reported around 9.10 am.
Firemen from the Siburan station and the HAZMAT team from Tabuan Jaya station were dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, the firemen discovered that a 2.5-litre bottle of hydrochloric acid had spilled in the research centre’s laboratory.
To ensure safety, the team wore special protective gear and ventilated the laboratory by opening doors and windows until the HAZMAT team arrived.
Once the HAZMAT team was on-site, they used pH paper to detect and measure the acidity of the spilled acid.
As a precautionary measure, one of the team members sprinkled soda ash and a chemical binder over the spill. The subsequent pH testing confirmed that the acid had been neutralised.
The neutralised material was then placed in a chemical plastic container and handed over to the laboratory for further necessary actions.
