Reaction to acid spillage
Foskor and TNPA put teams together to manage consequences of acid spill at Richards Bay port.
AUTHORITIES ‘worked around the clock’ to address a phosphoric acid spill after an underground pipeline, running between Foskor and the Port of Richards Bay, ruptured last week.
Foskor and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) are still investigating what caused the pipe to burst, since it was only installed six years ago and had a life span of 30 years.
Specialised teams completed a clean-up operation by 4.30pm on Thursday and the replacement of the flawed section of pipe was fitted on Friday.
No one came into contact with the acid seeping to the surface and Foskor Acid Division General Manager Manie Botha asserted all emergency teams wore the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) while stabilising the site.
However, an urgent warning was sent advising motorists to call the company if their vehicles came into contact with the chemical at the intersection of Newark and Octopus Roads.
‘The undiluted acid will have a corrosive effect on metal that came into contact with it and should be rinsed with running water as soon as possible,’ said Botha.
Environmental concerns
‘If not diluted with water or neutralised, it (phosphoric acid) could negatively affect vegetation and other environmental vectors,’ said Botha.
To address such potential threats, TNPA and Foskor confirmed in a joint statement, that an assessment is being carried out to ascertain the exact environmental impacts of the spillage.
‘The storm water drains in the vicinity of the spill have been checked and water sampling has been done,’ they said.
‘Lime (a neutralising agent) was used to neutralise the acid on the affected areas and copious amount of water was used to wash off the surface of the road and other affected areas.’
The amount of the acid that leaked has not yet been established, but will be determined through stock balancing.
Meanwhile, a multi-disciplinary team, with waste management company Enviroserv on board, has been formed to work towards managing and cleaning any surplus phosphoric acid in the area.
‘A Joint Operations Committee (JOC) meets twice a day to share updates and discuss new developments,’ said TNPA.
‘Newark and Octopus road have been cleaned and opened for use.’
TNPA added that all relevant authorities were notified.
