On Wednesday morning, a significant leak of nitric acid occurred at the Austin Powder Red Diamond plant in McArthur, Ohio, prompting emergency evacuation orders and grounding flights within a 6,500-kilometer radius of the incident.

The company, which specializes in producing industrial explosives for the construction and mining industries, has not yet disclosed the cause of the leak.

The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents of Zaleski, a nearby village, as a precautionary measure.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed restrictions on nearly all flights in an airspace covering over 9,500 square kilometers around the site, allowing only flights for emergency response.

Emergency services reported that the leak originated from a tank that contained 18,927 liters of nitric acid, with approximately 11,356 liters having escaped.

Robert Chehljevski, director of the Jackson County Emergency Services, confirmed the estimated volume of the spill.

Upon contact with air, nitric acid can undergo a chemical reaction that produces nitrogen oxide, a gas that appears orange to brown in color.

Although there have been no reported injuries related to the leak, health officials warned that exposure to this hazardous chemical can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and lungs, as well as drowsiness and potential loss of consciousness.

Brad Price, a representative from the Vinton County health services, advised individuals exposed to nitric acid to rinse their eyes and wash their skin immediately.

He emphasized that if symptoms worsen, affected individuals should seek medical attention promptly.

Additionally, several local roads in the vicinity have been closed to facilitate the emergency response.

Dispatched personnel are currently guiding residents to evacuate to the gymnasium of the local high school as part of the safety measures being implemented.