Columbia's Hazardous Materials Team responded this week as mutual aid in Callaway County.

The team received the call at about 8:04 p.m. Dec. 3. A couple there had found a wet substance on the outside of some grocery bags, which had caused skin irritation, melting of material on a coat and it reacted with a cleaning substance used to wipe a counter, causing discoloration. A sample collected by HazMat technicians from a cargo area of a vehicle turned out to be a 25% sulfuric acid solution.

Technicians decontaminated the cargo mat and affected areas of the vehicle while Callaway County disposed of the bag and coat. Homeowners were evaluated on scene and declined further medical care or transport. Callaway County is investigating the cause and origin of the substance.

Columbia Fire Departme

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