Roads around the Coors canning plant in west metro Denver, Colorado ended up shut down after a sulfuric acid spill forced the evacuation of workers, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies said.
The spill occurred April 13 and the plant closed April 14.
The spill at the Coors facility, about a mile east from the brewery, was under investigation and the cause of the incident was not immediately available. Coors did not report any injuries among the 90 or workers evacuated as a safety precaution.
Hazardous materials crews were trying to determine how much acid spilled to assess the impact and ensure safe cleanup, according to sheriff officials. Sulfuric acid is corrosive and destructive to the skin, eyes, teeth and lungs, health authorities said, and severe exposure can be fatal.
“It spilled over a container it was in. They weren’t sure how much spilled over. They got everybody out of there,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Karlyn Tilley said.
HazMat crews in full gear entered the facility April 13 at night, Tilley said. “They wanted to make sure no chemicals mixed. They don’t believe there is any threat or danger to the public.”