Truck Leaks Acid Waste At Mass. Turnpike Rest Stop

Public safety and environmental officials are cleaning up sulfuric acid waste that leaked from a carrier truck on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The tanker remains isolated at a service plaza in the Hampden County town of Blandford. The rest stop is expected to be closed until at least noon on Wednesday, but it could take until Thursday before the clean-up is finished.

State police say the truck contained approximately 40,000 pounds of the waste sulfuric product. Hazmat officials who opened the tanker on Tuesday discovered a rupture of one of its compartments.

Police say there is no danger to the surrounding area. However, the substance poses a threat to those exposed to it.

Police say the truck driver suffered an initial minor exposure and that the leak is limited to the rest area.