Nearly 2,000 gallons of calcium bromide spilled near a Memphis interstate Monday morning, according to the Memphis Fire Department (MFD). MFD responded to the hazardous materials call in the area of I-55 and McLemore Road around 11 a.m.
An hour after the spill, city officials said the spill had been fully contained. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the chemical does not meet hazard criteria, though it can be corrosive. The NIH said the chemical can be found in drilling fluids, freezing mixtures, food preservatives, photography, and fire retardants, among other things.
MFD crews remained on the scene to direct traffic and secure the perimeter. MFD said a contracted environmental cleanup company was brought in to clean up the scene. Crews closed Riverside Boulevard, South Parkway, and East Trigg Avenue as a result. MFD said no additional hazardous materials were immediately detected. The spill did not endanger any nearby residents or businesses, according to city officials.
