Chemical spill contained at Fonterra plant

Fonterra's Edendale plant. Photo / NZPA, Ross Setford

Firefighters contained a chemical spill at a dairy processing factory this morning.

60 litres of nitric acid leaked at Fonterra's Edendale plant in Southland.

Fire Service southern communications acting shift manager Lyn Crosson said firefighters arrived at the plant shortly after 9am and stayed there for about four hours.

"The leak was isolated from inside and the spill outside was contained very quickly."

The nitric acid was cleaned up and then had to be carefully disposed of.

A Fonterra plant engineer worked with firefighters to contain the spill, Ms Crosson said.Firefighters had to be decontaminated afterwards.

"The leak was isolated from inside and the spill outside was contained very quickly."

Nitric acid is a liquid used in making inorganic and organic nitrates and nitro compounds for fertilizers, dye intermediates, explosives, and other organic chemicals.

The PubChem chemistry database said continued exposure to nitric acid could cause chronic bronchitis, and the chemical had a "suffocating" odour.

- NZME