Arizona: massive nitric acid spill in Buckeye

Over 3000 gallons of nitric acid spilled in Buckeye, Arizona, on March 20, forcing the prompt intervention of emergency services. The incident happened near Rainbow Road and saw approximately 3500 gallons of nitric acid spill into a retention basin designed for containment. Residents received alerts that explained what was happening and invited them to stay away from the scene of the spill. Upon arrival, emergency response teams assessed the situation and said that the scene was stable, with no adverse chemical reactions occurring. They also monitored air quality before turning the site over for cleaning operations. Police did not disclose the cause of the spill which happened at Thatcher Company, a leading global chemical manufacturer and distributor.
According to the National Library of Medicine, nitric acid is a pale yellow to reddish brown liquid with reddish brown vapors and a suffocating odor. It corrodes metals and tissues, and it may cause ignition of combustible materials upon contact. It is very toxic by inhalation, with prolonged or short-term exposure resulting in adverse health effects.