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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WVLT) – All nuclear material is safe and employees are returning to normal work after officials at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, announced a chemical leak Thursday morning.
(Source: Y-12 National Security Complex / www.y12.doe.gov)
The incident occurred shortly before 8 am Thursday after the sensors indicated a potential release of hydrogen fluoride. No one was injured and the evacuees were transferred to another building at Y-12 until the rescuers declared the area safe.
A Y-12 statement said the potential leak would have had no impact on the public in the complex area.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, hydrogen fluoride is a liquid or gaseous chemical that creates strong fumes and can cause severe burns on contact. Inhalation of this chemical can cause heart and lung problems.
However, hydrogen fluoride is safe in small amounts. Traces are found in the air, and it is added to tap water for dental health.
Y-12 officials held a briefing on the chemical leak. They said the leak was completely contained in an enclosure. Employees were not exposed and the public was not in danger.
They said that the enclosure where the leak occurred was about as big as a dressing room. Its purpose is to keep workers safe from danger if they leak.
Sensors inside the enclosure measure chemicals in parts per million and alert the staff of the leak.
It is not clear exactly how much chemical has been released.
Operations resumed normally at the Y-12 plant, shortly before 10 am.
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