N.B. government warns drivers of exposure after chemical spill in Fredericton
CBC
The New Brunswick government issued a warning late Friday evening to drivers whose vehicles might have come in contact with a chemical spill on the Vanier Highway in Fredericton.
Earlier Friday the province released very few details on the spill which have coloured some roads bright yellow.
The press release from approximately 9 p.m. on Friday said testing indicated "traces of sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and chromium that could be harmful."
The release said the chromium spill was approximately 1000 litres over approximately 14 km in total.
It said people impacted are those who may have driven eastbound or westbound on the Vanier Highway (also known as Highway 7) between Fredericton and Oromocto or driven on Vanier Industrial Drive, between Thursday, March 5 to Friday, March 6, at 4 p.m.
The release also said Public Health advises those who would have driven in those areas at those times to avoid touching any visible residue on their vehicles, keep children and pets away from areas where residue might be present, thoroughly wash hands for 15 minutes after touching residue, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth until your hands have been washed.
"An environmental consultant is on site to assess any impacts on the surrounding environment. Testing and sampling are underway, and results will be shared with the public as soon as they are available.," the release said.
Crews started shutting down parts of Wilsey Road, Vanier Industrial Drive and the Vanier Highway interchange at Alison Boulevard on Friday afternoon in order to accommodate the cleanup.
Earlier on Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Environment told CBC News that samples of the substance had been sent to a lab for analysis, and that the department was notified about the spill on Thursday.
As of Friday morning, vehicles could be seen driving on affected sections of road prior to crews putting up roadblocks.
CBC News had asked the department for an interview about the spill, but one wasn't granted.
In a social media post Friday morning, Fredericton Coun. Kevin Darrah, whose ward the spill is in, said reports point to it having occurred as early as Wednesday evening.
Darrah declined an interview, deferring comment to the province.
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