Crime & Safety

Verizon's Chemical Spill 'Copiously Flushed' From Storm Sewers

Liquid lithium bromide, substance commonly used in refrigerant systems, was spilled at Basking Ridge headquarters Saturday.

No drinking water contamination — or contact — occurred as a result of Saturday morning's chemical spill at Verizon Headquarters at 1 Verizon Way in Basking Ridge, Police Lt. Mike Shimsky said on Sunday.

The spill of less than that less than 150 gallons of liquid lithium bromide at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Verizon reached only the storm sewer system, not public water supplies, Shimsky said in response to a question.

"Sewer pipes were copiously flushed by fire department to substantially dilute product prior to reaching sewage pump station," Shimsky, also the township's emergency management coordinator, said in an email on Sunday.

"Hazmat (hazardous materials) and sewage officials do not foresee any environmental issues," Shimsky added.

A news release from Shimsky on Saturday said it was determined the substance was accidentally released within the facility as a result of a refrigeration unit being dismantled by a contractor. 

Liquid lithium bromide is a non-flammable substance that causes irritation to skin or if inhaled, Shimsky said in a release. It is commonly used in refrigerant systems and is available from various suppliers.

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The majority of the spill was contained, with a small quantity entering into the sanitary sewer, Shimsky said.

Hazmat (hazardous materials) and fire crews flushed the sewer in order to dilute the chemical, and rendered it harmless, Shimsky said in the release.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Two workers on scene who were exposed to the chemical were treated, decontaminated and released from the scene by emergency medical services workers.

The incident was considered to pose no risk to the public, and a Verizon contractor completed the clean-up, Shimsky said.


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