Clean-up continues after tanker truck overturned in Rainsville resulting in hazmat spill
Evacuation of the area of central Rainsville within 1,000 feet of a hazmat spill Thursday was canceled Friday morning and people were able to return to the area around the intersection of Alabama Highway 35 and Alabama Highway 75, according to the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency.
A tanker truck overturned Thursday morning at the intersection, resulting in a spill of peracetic acid, an organic peroxide.
The City of Rainsville asked for voluntary evacuation and traffic was detoured from the area through the night, as specialists needed for the cleanup came in from Atlanta and Nashville.
Previous Coverage: DeKalb County hazmat incident leads to evacuation, detours; described as 'threat to life' issue
By midmorning Friday, DCEMA said traffic routes had returned to normal in all but the immediate area of the crossing at the traffic light. Authorities continued to urge caution Friday when approaching the intersection because crews continued the remediation process.
Peracetic acid can be a severe irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It is used as an antimicrobial in agriculture, food establishments, medical facilities, and other areas. Such organic peroxides create hazards including explosion if heated or contaminated; igniting combustibles or igniting from sparks or flame; and rapid burning with flare-burning effect.
DCEMA officials said a number of agencies assisted in securing the site and in the response and clean-up effort.
Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Rainsville spill cleanup continues; truck leaked peracetic acid
