Interstate 10 outside Tucson was closed on Tuesday night after a nitric acid spill due to a deadly accident involving a commercial tanker truck, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

According to Associated Press, the truck carrying a liquid nitric acid crashed in the median and rolled over on Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 10 between Kolb and Rita roads. DPS spokesman Raul Garcia said the liquid nitric acid leaked onto the highway.

Garcia only referred to the accident as an "injury collision." The DPS said the truck driver was killed but did not provide details on whether another vehicle was involved or anyone was hurt. However, there were no reports that someone was hospitalized due to exposure to the substance.

Interstate 10 was closed in both directions as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, and there was no timetable for it to reopen. Arizona DPS tweeted: "This will be an extensive closure... Motorists in the Tucson area should anticipate an impact on their Wednesday morning commute."

Portions of both Houghton and Rita roads are also closed near Interstate 10. Nitric acid is a key ingredient in the production of ammonium nitrate, which is used in agriculture, industry, and the textile and dye industries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) described it as a highly corrosive, colorless liquid with yellow or red vapors that can produce an unpleasant smell.

Nitric acid exposure irritates the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Depending on the dosage, the AP reported that it may result in dental erosion, pneumonitis, bronchitis, and delayed pulmonary edema.

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Arizona Authorities Issue Shelter-In-Place Order Following the Nitric Acid Spill

Following the crash and the nitric acid leak on a stretch of Interstate 10 southeast of downtown Tucson, a shelter-in-place and evacuations were ordered, KOLD reported. The accident occurred at approximately 2:45 pm, and the shelter-in-place order was issued at around 4 p.m.

Residents within a half-mile were told to evacuate and leave, while those within a mile were ordered to shelter in place for several hours. The shelter-in-place order was reportedly lifted at 8:40 p.m., but homes and businesses that were ordered to leave will remain evacuated for the foreseeable future.

After the shelter-in-place expired, DPS announced that it was safe for people in that area to use air conditioners and heaters again. University of Arizona Tech Park was reportedly among the areas evacuated.

The Vail School District noted that most of the Rita Ranch students had already gone home after asking parents to pick up their kids as soon as possible. During a meeting, the Vail Governing Board said they would decide about Wednesday classes in the morning.

Arizona Highway Closed in Both Directions

Officials have advised locals to expect an "extensive" closure after closing the route in both directions of the highway. They warned drivers to seek alternate routes and pedestrians to stay away from the area, The Hill reported.

Earlier this week, a train derailment in Ohio, near East Palestine town, caused boxcars to explode into flames and allow harmful chemicals to escape into the air. These five train cars reportedly hold thousands of gallons of vinyl chloride each.

Officials have already conducted a "controlled release" of the chemicals to prevent an even more dangerous explosion. Chemicals' odors have largely spread, but some reportedly remained near streams.

Officials also ordered town residents and nearby communities to evacuate quickly, and they were asked to return to their homes only after two days.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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