Suspected hydrofluoric acid leaks from barrel

As much as 50 litres of what officials believe is hydrofluoric acid was released from an overturned barrel in a county shop yard near Wetaskiwin Tuesday.

County employees had earlier recovered two metal drums containing plastic barrels from a ditch and transported them to the facility.

One of the drums was leaking and appeared to be producing hydrogen gas as it reacted with the metal barrel on a gravel pad, a government statement said.

Alberta Environment and Parks officials worked with the local fire department to isolate the area and upright the barrel to prevent any further release.

The other barrel was labelled ammonium hydroxide and appeared to be three-quarters full.