Chemical leak near Mississippi river quickly contained

On Thursday, January 5, 2012, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a two-inch break in a pipe leading to a chlorine bleach tank caused a chemical spill at Xcel Energy Inc.’s Prairie Island nuclear plant on the Mississippi River, reports The Associated Press.

According the the news source, approximately 500 gallons of chlorine bleach, which is normally used to clean river water needed to cool the energy plant, spilled inside the facility.

Xcel Energy’s chief nuclear officer, Dennis Koehl, said it was not immediately known what caused the pipe to burst. He went on to say an investigation into the leak would be immediately initiated.

Fortunately, the leak was expected to be contained by the end of the Thursday.

Cleanup officials can effectively and safely contain chemical spills using XSORB Caustic Neutralizing Absorbent devices. The absorbent material can instantly neutralize any leaked organic or inorganic caustic spills. What’s more, after the chemical solution has been rendered nonhazardous, officials could safely sweep up the leak and dispose of the remains in traditional fashion.

Providing a safe environment for workers relies on officials using the proper cleaning supplies. 

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