Chemical release reported in Adrian

2/15/2013

 ADRIAN -- Police and fire investigators in Adrian today are investigating a chemical release at a dairy manufacturing business in the area of East Maumee and Gulf streets.

Several roads have been closed in the vicinity and people in the area are being advised to stay indoors until further notice, police officials said.

The site of the incident is Dairy Farmers of America, 1336 E. Maumee, which manufactures dry condensed evaporated dairy products.

According to police, the chemail release is being caused by a barrel containing 30-35 tons of nitric acid that is off-gassing after reacting with a small amount of sodium hydroxide. The temperature of the reaction is continuing to fall, which is a sign that the immediate threat is almost over.

Adrian Fire Captain Nick Moorehead said that people in the vicinity should remain indoors and roads will continue to be closed until 1 p.m.

Lenawee County Emergency Management and the Lenawee County Hazardous Materials Team are also on the scene and will begin clean up operations once the gassing has ceased.