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Imperial County

Chemical spill causes concerns in Calipatria

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October 16, 2020 6:40 PM
Published 12:28 PM

Residents advised to shelter-in-place - News 11's Gianella Ghiglino

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Thursday night around 11 pm Calipatria residents received a notice to shelter in place and keep all windows closed due to a hazardous chemical spill.

The spill created a suspicious cloud coming out of the Dune Company area.

A Dune company representative was called to explain what this could be. 

“With us finding out it was 250 gallons of Sulphuric acid that were spilled on the ground and that's what caused the chemical reaction,” said Juan Rodelo, Battalion Chief ICFD.

The major use of sulfuric acid is in the production of fertilizers.

Sulphuric Acid can irritate the nose and throat and cause difficulties breathing if inhaled, it can also burn the eyes and possibly cause blindness.

“One of the major hazards is something like this in a vapor or cloud, that it will probably irritate your respiratory system,” said Rodelo. 

The fire department tells us it is safe for people to go out but to avoid the area if possible. 

“Now that the vapor cloud is already gone and obviously with temperatures rising it's going to help out with the dissipation of the gas.” 

News 11's Gianella Ghiglino is following this story and will bring you more details on the substance involved and emergency officials' response to it, today on News 11's Early Edition at 5 p.m.

Article Topic Follows: Imperial County

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Gianella Ghiglino

Peruvian-born and LA raised Gianella Ghiglino joins the team from the San Fernando valley. “LA is the place that taught me how to breath and Peru is my breath.” She says she was inspired by the community she grew up in and began documenting her experience through poetry at the age of 7. “I wrote about everything I saw, felt and everything that inspired me.” When she entered High School she joined her school news station and realized that broadcast journalism allowed her to pursue her passion and her purpose all at once. Gianella attended Cal State Northridge and received a Bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish Broadcast Journalism, and Political Science. She did several internships while in College but most notably interned for PBS’s local LA station for three years. “My purpose is to share my story and of those in my community, my passion is writing.”

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