6PM: 500 gallons of nitric acid spilled in SLC; no known threat to public

5PM: 500 gallons of nitric acid spilled in SLC; no known threat to public

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SALT LAKE CITY — Five hundred gallons of nitric acid were spilled at a chemical plant in Salt Lake City Thursday morning, authorities said, but were contained before causing damage.

The spill is believed to have occurred in the basement of chemical plant Univar at 650 W. 800 South, but somehow made its way outside the facility, according to the Salt Lake City Fire Department.

The Salt Lake City and West Valley Fire Departments contained the spill at 800 South and 400 West around 10:15 a.m.

Despite the spill, there is "no known threat to the public," the Salt Lake County Health Department announced on Twitter Thursday afternoon.

While there was some initial concern that the nitric acid could get into the storm drain system, the company's isolated drain system allowed fire department crews to keep the chemical from spreading, according to the Salt Lake City Fire Department.

Authorities advised citizens to avoid anything near 700 West and motorists were advised to avoid the I-15 overpass at 700 West, if possible.

"Our Salt Lake City branch experienced a release of nitric acid that was contained on site, response teams are in control of the situation, and as a purely precautionary action, site personnel were evacuated," said a Univar spokesperson in a statement.

There were no injuries and the fire department has since reopened 800 South.

More information will be released as it is received.

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