Hydrogen fluoride leak contained, shelter-in-place order lifted

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The all clear has been given after a toxic chemical leak at a Jeffersontown business prompted an evacuation and orders for hundreds of people to stay indoors.

The hydrogen fluoride – or HF - leak was reported at Peptides International, located at 11621 Electron Drive, at 11:16 a.m. Jody Duncan, a MetroSafe spokeswoman, the leak occurred when plastic tubing attacked to a 28 pound cylinder came loose. The valve was been successfully turned off.

"HF is one of the most dangerous chemicals that we probably deal with," Jeffersontown Fire Chief Sean Dreisbach said.

According to the Center for Disease Control, people cannot breathe in or touch Hydrofluoric acid without running the risk of burns or even death. So when the fire chief saw a dust cloud above the Peptides building, he knew everyone needed to get out.

Employees were moved to a safe location 300 yards away from the building while emergency crews contained the leak. Persons within a one mile radius of the scene were told to shelter in place. That order was lifted at 1:40 p.m.

"It was remarkable that everybody got out of there safely without any other type of exposure," the chief said.

One employee was taken to Baptist East Hospital. Officials said the employee was wearing full protective gear and he has since been released.

No other injuries were reported.

"Anytime you have the signal to clear the building it's, it's a concern and the adrenaline goes," Peptides International spokesman Bob Brousseau said.

Peptides International is a bio-tech company that researches products to help discover medicines.

"It's a 32-year-old company and I don't believe this has ever happened," he said.

For about three hours people in a one mile radius were ordered to stay inside.