Verizon Chemical Spill Poses No Threat to Public, Official Says

A late Saturday morning spill at Verizon headquarters of 150 gallons of liquid lithium bromide, a substance commonly used in refrigerant systems, posed no risk to the public, Bernards Township's Emergency Management coordinator, Police Lt. Mike Shimsky, said on Saturday evening.

Shimsky said at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday Bernards Township Emergency Services responded to Verizon Headquarters at 1 Verizon Way in Basking Ridge in response to a reported chemical spill.

Shimsky said it was determined that less than 150 gallons of liquid lithium bromide 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.

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.

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 poses no risk to the public, according to Shimsky. A Verizon contractor responded to the scene to complete the clean-up, he said.

Responding agencies included: the Bernards Township police department and Bernards Township Office of Emergency Management, Basking Ridge Fire/EMS, Liberty Corner EMS, Somerset County Haz-Mat, Lyons Veterans Administration Fire Department, the Elizabeth Avenue Fire Company from Franklin Township.