Chemical spill shuts Mooresville waste station

By: Melinda Skutnick | Mooresville Tribune
Published: November 23, 2009

A chemical waste spill at the Mooresville Transfer Station on Monday injured two employees and shut down the facility.

Around 11 a.m., two town of Mooresville workers received minor burns when acid-based materials collected during the morning residential garbage pickup were compressed at the facility on N.C. 150.

Mooresville Fire Chief Wes Greene said the two victims were being treated for minor burns and were not expected to stay overnight at the hospital.

The MFD's Hazardous Materials (HazMat) squad reported to the scene as well as representatives from the town's Risk Management and Public Works departments and Iredell County Solid Waste department.

As of 1 p.m., town officials said it was uncertain when the facility would reopen. Officials were expecting a cleanup company to arrive by early afternoon to begin the process of neutralizing the facility and garbage truck.

Those seeking to dispose of their waste or recyclables at this time are asked to utilize the Statesville facility located on Twin Oaks Road.

For more information, see Wednesday's Tribune.