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State troopers who came in contact with a chemical are home from the hospital after a chemical leak Tuesday morning on Interstate 84.
What started out as a routine truck inspection at a rest area off Interstate 84 near Promised Land State Park quickly turned into a medical emergency.
State police said a corporal was taking pictures of a leak coming from a tractor-trailer when a dangerous chemical dripped onto his face.
"They took him back to the barracks, treated him with soap and water and Life-flighted him to Lehigh Valley Hospital," said Trooper Bill Satkowski.
State police said five other men were taken to the hospital by ambulance to be checked out as a precaution.
Satkowski said the chemical was potassium metallic cyanide, a salt solution used for industrial purposes.
It is classified as a dangerous, not hazardous, material but hazmat crews were called in anyway, cleaning up the mess at the rest stop for several hours.
The driver of the truck said he had no idea his truck was leaking. He said carrying dangerous chemicals is routine for him.
"If you ever see one leaking, don't go near it because you don't know what it is because we carry all kinds of stuff in there," said trucker Robert Vermaaten.
State police said it's not routine for an inspector to find a chemical leak, which is why the troopers were not wearing special safety gear.
"For routine inspections they usually don't. It was an unusual circumstance. It was an accident that happened," Trooper Satkowski added.
The truck driver said the truck company, Roadway, expects to be fined for the leak.
What started out as a routine truck inspection at a rest area off Interstate 84 near Promised Land State Park quickly turned into a medical emergency.
State police said a corporal was taking pictures of a leak coming from a tractor-trailer when a dangerous chemical dripped onto his face.
"They took him back to the barracks, treated him with soap and water and Life-flighted him to Lehigh Valley Hospital," said Trooper Bill Satkowski.
State police said five other men were taken to the hospital by ambulance to be checked out as a precaution.
Satkowski said the chemical was potassium metallic cyanide, a salt solution used for industrial purposes.
It is classified as a dangerous, not hazardous, material but hazmat crews were called in anyway, cleaning up the mess at the rest stop for several hours.
The driver of the truck said he had no idea his truck was leaking. He said carrying dangerous chemicals is routine for him.
"If you ever see one leaking, don't go near it because you don't know what it is because we carry all kinds of stuff in there," said trucker Robert Vermaaten.
State police said it's not routine for an inspector to find a chemical leak, which is why the troopers were not wearing special safety gear.
"For routine inspections they usually don't. It was an unusual circumstance. It was an accident that happened," Trooper Satkowski added.
The truck driver said the truck company, Roadway, expects to be fined for the leak.
