GEORGE TOWN: Workers at a Bayan Baru factory had a scare this morning when hydrochloric acid leaked from a tank and spilled over onto the factory’s compound.
No one was injured in the 10am incident.
It is learnt that there were six similar tanks within the compound and one of them sprung a leak.
A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said a worker spotted leakage and immediately alerted the authorities.
“We managed to trace the leakage to the source and contained the situation.
“Our team also emptied the tank to ensure that its liquid content was drained out to a waster water treatment area,” he said.
A hazardous materials (Hazmat) team, with the aid of the factory staff, dispensed soda powder to absorb the remainder of the spilled liquid.
Concentrated hydrochloric acid is regarded as dangerous as it has a corrosive effect on human tissue, potentially damaging the respiratory organs, eyes, skin, and intestines.