HAZMAT incident at Perdue poultry facility Wednesday

On By Littum

A shelter-in-place order for residents living near the Perdue poultry plant in Georgetown has been lifted.

Around At 6 p.m., the Delaware Emergency Management Agency issued a hazardous chemical incident warning at Perdue, and roads near the facility were closed.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency initially mistakenly issued a statewide shelter-in-place warning, then corrected the order to a 10-mile radius of the facility. A third version clarified that the order was only for a half-mile radius.

At 8:25 p.m., Perdue spokesman Tom Ryan said the shelter-in-place order had been lifted except for a handful of homes near the plant, located at 20621 Savannah Rd. Ryan said the HAZMAT incident occurred around

“A chemical supplier accidentally mixed peracetic acid (PAA) into a caustic chemical tank, creating a plume of smoke that has since disappeared,” Ryan said in a statement.

State emergency management could not be reached Wednesday night for further details.

Peracetic acid is a colorless, peroxide-based liquid with a strong vinegar-like odor, according to US Department of Agriculture. Concentrated, it is “highly corrosive and unstable.” It is used in many industries as a surface cleaner and detergent, the USDA website says. In meat and poultry facilities, it is “used on carcasses, parts, trim and organs to reduce bacterial contamination and foot spoilage.”

“Concentrated forms of the (peracetic acid) solution are corrosive and exposure can cause irreversible damage to the skin and eyes,” a USDA fact sheet says. “Exposure to (peracetic acid) in dilute form as a vapor or mist can sometimes cause eye, nose, throat and respiratory tract irritation that usually subsides when exposure ceases.”

On social media, both the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Georgetown Fire Company warned of closures in the area of ​​Savannah Road.

“Savannah Road and surrounding streets are closed due to a hazardous materials incident at Perdue. Please avoid the area and shelter in place,” said a Facebook post from the Georgetown Fire Company.

This is a development story. Check back with delawareonline.com for more information.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or [email protected]. Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.