Acid Leak Forces Evacuation of Michigan Auto AC Plant

Workers evacuated a Battle Creek, Michigan, factory specializing in automobile air conditioning systems Tuesday morning when a solution of diluted sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids leaked from a 300-gallon tank.

At about 3:45 a.m. firefighters responded to DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc., upon the report of a 100-gallon hazardous materials leak, a company spokesperson told local media. One worker received hospital treatment for fume inhalation before returning to work.

DENSO’s own safety, health, and environment team worked to confine and remediate the leaked acid. Air quality testing was conducted to determine if it was safe to let workers reenter the factory.

Workers returned to their jobs shortly before 8 a.m., the company spokesperson said. The area surrounding the leak was restricted in keeping with DENSO’s health and safety protocols.

The cause of the leak remains under investigation.