Acid Mist Leak in El Segundo Sickens 115
Hydrochloric acid fumes from an El Segundo chemical plant mixed with low-hanging morning fog today, creating a choking mist that sickened 115 people and sent about 65 to area hospitals for treatment.
The fumes began leaking from a processing tank at Allied-Signal Inc.’s plant at 850 S. Sepulveda Blvd. shortly before 7 a.m. today, according to El Segundo Fire Capt. Jim O’Brien. He said a general alarm was immediately put into effect, and fire departments from at least seven neighboring cities sent equipment and personnel to the scene.
An Allied-Signal spokesman said the leak lasted only about 7 minutes. He said hydrochloric acid is a byproduct of a refrigerant manufactured at the plant.
El Segundo Fire Battalion Chief William Woodcock said the fumes mixed with fog, which was sucked into air conditioning units of nearby office buildings and light industrial plants.
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