Acid leak in plant near Detroit, thousands evacuated

Washington, (Xinhua) Some 3,000 people have been evacuated after a hydrochloric acid leak at a metal finishing plant in the Midwestern Michigan state in US, leaving at least one reported injury.

The acid leak from Reilly Plating Co. in Melvindale Tuesday left the area covered by a cloud, leaving a half-square-mile evacuation zone cleared as a precaution, including three schools, local authorities said.


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Hospital said a Melvindale resident was hospitalised for respiratory symptoms and remains stable. But officials were concerned the situation would get worse if it rained.

Hydrochloric acid can cause burns if it comes into direct contact with skin or eyes. With rain, the chemical can possibly turn into gas and burn lung tissue and cause respiratory problems if it is breathed in.

The US Environmental Protection Agency said it has sent a representative to the scene to monitor the air quality and an environmental cleanup company was assigned to pump the acid for removal.

Melvindale is a city of 11,000 and is located some 13 km southwest of Detroit.

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