A routine Tuesday morning in Duson turned into a hazardous-materials scare when a chemical leak at a business on Lexington Drive sent ten people to local hospitals shortly after 7 a.m. Hazmat crews moved in quickly, contained the release and, after several tense hours, officials lifted evacuation and shelter-in-place orders across the surrounding industrial park.
Those taken for treatment included three first responders and six employees of the business where the leak occurred. Authorities said all were in stable condition and were treated for skin and respiratory irritation.
In a press release shared through Louisiana State Police, Troop I's Emergency Services Unit said an initial investigation pointed to a valve malfunction involving boron trifluoride. The agency used the incident as a reminder for the public to steer clear of hazmat scenes and follow first responder instructions, and noted that the investigation remains active with more details expected as they become available.
Where It Happened And Who Was Affected
Local reporting identified the leak site as a service center operated by FIBA Technologies on Lexington Drive, a spot tucked among several busy businesses. The chemical plume prompted evacuations at nearby operations, including the Love’s Travel Stop and Waste Connections.
KATC reported that crews had the faulty valve closed and that the visible plume was drifting north when responders first spotted it. State police later confirmed that a total of ten people had been transported to local hospitals for evaluation, according to KPLC.
What Boron Trifluoride Is And The Health Risks
Boron trifluoride is a colorless, highly reactive gas that can be rough on the human body. It is corrosive to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and it reacts with moisture to produce hydrofluoric acid.
According to PubChem, boron trifluoride is toxic when inhaled and can form dense white fumes in moist air. Federal acute-exposure guidance warns that high concentrations may cause pulmonary edema along with severe lung and eye injuries, which is why rapid evacuation and specialized medical care are recommended during incidents involving the gas, per NCBI.
Investigation And Regulatory Threads
Louisiana State Police Troop I is listed as the lead agency investigating the leak, and officials say the scene remains under review.
KATC reported that FIBA Technologies had recently added nitrogen storage capacity at its Rayne service center, and that a search of an OSHA database showed only a planned inspection in 2022. According to the same outlet, reporters were not immediately able to reach company representatives for comment.
What To Know Now
Officials have stressed that there is currently no immediate threat to the broader community and that crews have contained the source of the release, according to local news coverage. KPLC reported that evacuation and shelter-in-place orders have been lifted and that patients are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
For media inquiries, the state police press release lists Trooper Monique Lavergne with Louisiana State Police Troop I's public affairs section as the point of contact.
