A warning has been issued to the public after a barrel of potentially deadly phosphoric acid was washed up on a beach in Cornwall.
Crinnis Beach, Carlyon Bay, was cordoned off while firefighters clad in bright green hazmat suits made the site safe.
The drum of phosphoric acid, which can used in the manufacture of agricultural fertilisers and appears in minute amounts in the recipe for Coca-Cola but can be extremely dangerous in pure form, washed up onto the beach near St Austell during stormy weather on Sunday, February 14.
The source of the barrel remains a mystery.
The beach was closed to the public during the clean-up operation, and the barrel was handed over to a specialist contractor to be disposed of.
Phosphoric acid can be very hazardous in the case of skin contact, eye contact, or if it’s swallowed. It can also cause severe lung irritation if its vapours is inhaled.
A spokesperson from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: "An appliance from St Austell and a flexi-duty officer were mobilised following a report from HM Coastguard of a drum of phosphoric acid that had washed up on the beach.
"Fire Service resources liaised with HM Coastguard and beach security to formulate a plan."
"Cordons were put in place," they added," and an overdrum was requested to be brought to the scene from St Austell Community Fire Station .
"Following specialist advice from a Hazardous Material Environmental Protection Advisor, firefighters donned breathing apparatus and gas tight suits to safely approach the hazardous drum.
"The drum was inspected and eventually recovered into the overdrum.
"A specialist contractor has been contacted to remove and dispose of the hazardous substance.”
The St Austell Coastguard team added: "With the storms washing debris up onto beaches, please don't touch any drums, containers or ordnance and call 999 for the Coastguard."
Source: Read Full Article
