Leaky Drum With Corrosive Liquid Removed From Port

LONG BEACH —  Firefighters safely removed a leaking drum of corrosive liquid Monday from a load of dangerous chemicals to be shipped from the Port of Long Beach, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

A hazardous-materials team from the county Fire Department removed the hydrazine hydrate from a cargo container at the Maersk Terminal on Pier J. The shipment contained about 25 55-gallon drums of the material, but only one barrel was leaking, firefighters said.

Hydrazine hydrate, which has industrial uses as a powerful solvent and rust remover, is a flammable corrosive and a known carcinogen. The spill was estimated at 2 to 4 gallons.

Firefighters said the leak was discovered shortly after 2 p.m. while a ship was being loaded with cargo containers. Work was suspended for several hours at the terminal.