Hawaii County emergency response teams investigated a sulfuric acid spill early Friday afternoon in Hilo. ADVERTISING Hawaii County emergency response teams investigated a sulfuric acid spill early Friday afternoon in Hilo. Battalion Chief Warren Sumida said approximately 250 gallons of
Hawaii County emergency response teams investigated a sulfuric acid spill early Friday afternoon in Hilo.
Battalion Chief Warren Sumida said approximately 250 gallons of sulfuric acid fell off the back of a flatbed truck at BEI Hawaii located at 430 Kekuanaoa St.
BEI Hawaii distributes fertilizers, industrial and agricultural chemicals.
Kekuanaoa Street was closed temporarily while BEI employees cleaned up the spill.
Sumida said other emergency response teams were called upon to investigate potential damages.
Sumida said the spill leaked into a nearby dry well and that the Department of Health was on the scene testing the waters near Wailoa River State Recreation area to see if any contamination had occurred.
Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the spill was contained.
“It was discovered that the acid spill from the BEI location was contained in a dry well and none of the acid reached the Waiakea Pond or any waters in our park. Our park is not affected,” she said.
Sumida said one employee was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
No statement was given by BEI as of noon Friday about the condition of the individual or the incident.
The Hawaii County Fire Department, the Hazardous Material Response Team, representatives from the Department of Health and DLNR were present following the spill.
