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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Update (10:30 am): Hydrogen fluoride, a potentially lethal chemical, was accidentally released in a small compound at the Y – 12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and required an emergency response on Thursday morning.
RELATED: What is hydrogen fluoride?
Two sensors were triggered shortly before 8 am, indicating that the chemical had been released in an area the size of a dressing room in a large room located at 9212, complex that processes uranium treatment, said officials.
At that time, Y-12 launched its emergency response for the incident.
At around 9:00, the incident was under control and, during the press conference, everything was given.
Officials confirmed that staff located in an isolated area near the chemical had been evacuated, but that no external sensor had tripped and that there had never been had danger for the staff.
Y-12 opened an investigation to determine the amount of chemical that would have been filtered. There was no indication that it was a malicious act or that the chemical had been released by an outside source, officials said.
But, they said that they had a good idea of the exact place where the leak had occurred in terms of driving, tank and connection.
A spokesperson has been confirmed by the National Laboratory of Oak Ridge.
Update (9h51): An incident at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge required the intervention of the resort's emergency response staff on Thursday morning, the resort's press release said.
Sensors have discovered a possible release of gaseous hydrogen fluoride in a walk-in closet-size cabinet during normal operations, according to a tweet pulled from the account. Y-12 rendering and a press conference.
The incident did not hurt, according to another tweet. On-site monitoring did not reveal any detectable levels of chemicals outside the enclosure and the systems in place were functioning properly to reduce the levels of chemical in the enclosure.
All nuclear material was safe and nothing indicated a "malicious event".
Employees were initially evacuated from the area but were allowed to return to work normally at 9:45 am, after the emergency situation was deemed "under control".
Hydrogen fluoride is a colorless liquid or gas that, according to the CDC, can cause serious injury or death if ingested.
Hydrogen fluoride is "a chemical compound that contains fluorine, it can exist as a colorless gas or smoking liquid, or it can be dissolved in water," according to the CDC.
When hydrogen fluoride is dissolved in water, it could be called hydrofluoric acid, the CDC said.
If swallowed, this could affect the major internal organs and be fatal, the CDC said.
"As a gas, even at low concentration, can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory tract.Inhalation of hydrogen fluoride at high concentrations or in combination with skin contact can cause death of an irregular heartbeat or fluid accumulation in the lungs. "
"Even small splashes of high-concentration hydrogen fluoride on the skin can be fatal. Skin contact with hydrogen fluoride should not cause immediate pain or visible skin lesions (signs and symptoms). Often, patients exposed to low concentrations of hydrogen fluoride skin do not show effect or feel the pain immediately.And intense pain at the site. Exposure may be the only symptom for several hours.Visible damage may appear only 12 to 24 hours after exposure. "
It is used to make refrigerants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high octane gasoline, aluminum, plastics, electrical components and fluorescent light bulbs. percent of the hydrogen fluoride used in manufacturing is intended for refrigerant manufacturing processes, "said the CDC.
Update (09h41): Hydrogen fluoride detectors located outside the area where the answer has never been triggered, announced Thursday a tweet from the Y-12 account.
On-site monitoring did not reveal any detectable levels of chemicals outside the enclosure, added another tweet.
The account said that the washing system of the speaker is working properly to reduce the levels of chemicals inside the enclosure.
"There is no indication of a malicious event," said the Twitter account. "All nuclear material is safe."
"Employees evacuated from the area were allowed to return to their workplace, with the exception of the immediate vicinity of the incident."
Another tweet confirmed that the emergency situation was under control and that site staff had resumed normal operations.
Update (9:31): There is no injury related to the event at Y-12, the complex's Twitter account sent later on Thursday.
The city of Oak Ridge was not helping the answer, confirmed Sarah Self of the city at 10News.
Sensors have detected a possible release of hydrogen fluoride into a treatment chamber during normal operations, a tweet said.
The evacuees are being moved to another building, but there is no indication that hydrogen fluoride has been released from the treatment enclosure, according to another tweet.
Hydrogen fluoride is "a chemical compound that contains fluorine, it can exist as a colorless gas or smoking liquid, or it can be dissolved in water," according to the CDC.
When hydrogen fluoride is dissolved in water, it could be called hydrofluoric acid, the CDC said.
If swallowed, this could affect the major internal organs and be fatal, the CDC said.
"As a gas, even at low concentration, can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory tract.Inhalation of hydrogen fluoride at high concentrations or in combination with skin contact can cause death of an irregular heartbeat or fluid accumulation in the lungs. "
"Even small splashes of high-concentration hydrogen fluoride on the skin can be fatal. Skin contact with hydrogen fluoride should not cause immediate pain or visible skin lesions (signs and symptoms). Often, patients exposed to low concentrations of hydrogen fluoride skin do not show effect or feel the pain immediately.And intense pain at the site. Exposure may be the only symptom for several hours.Visible damage may appear only 12 to 24 hours after exposure. "
It is used to make refrigerants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high octane gasoline, aluminum, plastics, electrical components and fluorescent light bulbs. percent of the hydrogen fluoride used in manufacturing is intended for refrigerant manufacturing processes, "said the CDC.
Original story (9:20): An incident at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge required the presence of emergency response personnel at the complex on Thursday morning, a press release from the complex said.
Preventive protection measures have been put in place for Y-12 employees who are in close proximity to the incident and who do not participate in the emergency response, the statement said.
The incident occurred at 7:52
Officials from Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are leading the response efforts, the statement said.
A press center has been set up on site.
No other details were available at 9:15.
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