TUCSON, Ariz. — A hazmat team has responded to an incident on Interstate 10 near Tucson, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Due to a chemical leak caused by the crash, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has issued guidelines to anyone within a mile of the incident.
The Department of Public Safety said the driver of a truck involved in the incident has died.
According to officials, the vehicle involved was a "truck tractor pulling a box trailer." The truck flipped following a collision and is leaking a hazardous substance onto the highway between Kolb and Rita roads, officials said.
The state's Department of Public Safety said the hazardous material has been identified as nitric acid in liquid form.
According to the CDC, nitric acid is a colorless liquid with fumes that are yellow or red. It is highly corrosive. Exposure can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Exposure can also cause "delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bronchitis, and dental erosion."
Pima County Health Department and Poison Control is recommending that individuals who may have been in contact with the gas for more than 15 minutes assess themselves for exposure risk.
According to officials, a half a mile perimeter around the incident has been evacuated. A shelter-in-place had been in place for the surrounding area until Wednesday afternoon.
Anyone within a one-mile distance of the crash is advised by DPS to turn off heaters and/or air conditioners that bring in outside air.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Situación de material peligroso cierra la I-10 cerca de Tucson
According to ADOT, the Tucson Fire Hazmat Team is working with the Department of Public Safety to contain the situation.
Everyone is being asked to avoid the area and seek an alternative route.
I-10 is expected to be closed for an extended period of time.
The AZDPS Hazardous Materials Response Unit along with Tucson Fire Department, Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff's Department and Marana Police Department are working together to mitigate the incident.
According to ADOT first responders are working to evacuate a perimeter around the area of the incident.
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