He told the laboratory technician to add the acid in small increments. Although the researcher expected a chemical reaction, he did not anticipate the magnitude of the reaction that actually occurred. The following are among several concerns identified by facility managers and investigators. No arrangements were made to vent the expected off-gas before adding the nitric acid waste. NFS has reported other events where workers created hazardous conditions by mixing incompatible materials.
Some examples follow.
Approximately 2.5 ounces of the slurry was released, spraying the contractor and the ceiling. He was preparing waste containers for shipment to an off-site waste disposal facility and violated procedures by adding water to the container. The water reacted with the Raney nickel releasing hydrogen and pressurizing the container. When the two acids mixed, a violent chemical reaction sprayed acid from the drum approximately 10 feet to the ceiling and onto the employee. The employee received treatment and evaluation at a local hospital and was placed on light duty for three days.