A chemical release at a Mansfield business forced the evacuation of nearly 300 workers from the facility on May 9.
The incident occurred at the Dura-Tech plant located at 109 Sentry Drive near the intersection of Sentry and Antlers drives. The Mansfield Fire Department responded to the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Officials said a chemical reaction caused the release of nitric acid. This highly corrosive agent can irritate the skin and eyes or cause breathing problems if exposed to it.
Nitric acid is colorless in its pure form but turns into a yellow cast as it gets older. The chemical is a standard reagent used in laboratories and an important chemical used in industries to manufacture fertilizers and explosives.
According to Jeff Smith of the Mansfield Police Department, four employees were treated at the plant for minor injuries. All four of them refused medical transport to a hospital for further treatment.
Smith added that before the arrival of first responders, two employees had already showered and changed out of their work clothes as a precaution.
A total of 260 employees were evacuated from the facility. Mansfield firefighters are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities established a 330-foot perimeter around the facility. According to officials, there was no risk to the public or other entities outside of that area.
Smith said he anticipated that firefighters would remain on the scene until the building was declared safe by state environmental experts. At approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 9, the Mansfield Fire Department announced that authorities had cleared the facility, and they assessed no further danger in the area.
According to WFAA News, an Arlington Fire Department hazmat team also responded to the incident.
