Crews clean up chemical spill in Struthers

STAFF REPORT

STRUTHERS — A portion of Bridge Street in downtown Struthers was closed for about four hours Tuesday morning while city crews cleaned up a small chemical spill of sodium hydroxide.

The spill occurred after a tanker truck had unloaded the sodium hydroxide at Astro Shapes, 65 Main St. off Bridge, and was leaving. The spill occurred because a valve on the truck was not securely tightened.

The de-greasing solution is used to clean dies, according to Edward Wildes, city safety-service director.

The spill, an estimated 5 gallons, occurred on the west side of Bridge between Bob Cene Way and State Street, about 10:30 a.m. The street, which was blocked from state Route 289 to State, was reopened at 2:45 p.m., city fire officials said.

Firefighters and street department personnel were helped in the cleanup by Astro Shapes, which supplied personnel, materials and equipment.

Though the spill was small, the concern was that the material might get into the sanitary and storm sewers, Wildes said.

alcorn@vindy.com