Six Glen Rock and four Hawthorne firefighters were exposed to hydrochloric acid and other pool-cleaning chemicals while extricating a driver

By Anthony G. Attrino
nj.com

FAIR LAWN, N.J. — Ten firefighters were hospitalized Thursday night after they were exposed to pool-cleaning chemicals following a two-vehicle crash on Route 208 in Bergen County, authorities said.

The rollover crash involving a minivan and car occurred about 9 p.m. in the highway’s northbound lanes in Fair Lawn, according to police and firefighters.

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The minivan contained “a plethora of pool-cleaning chemicals” that firefighters were exposed to when they arrived to extricate the van’s badly injured driver, said Hawthorne Fire Chief Joe Speranza.

Six firefighters from Glen Rock and four from Hawthorne were taken to area hospitals for evaluation, Speranza said.

“It was all precautionary,” Speranza said, adding that all of the firefighters had been released as of early Friday.

The driver of the minivan was hospitalized with what Speranza said appeared to be serious injuries. His condition was not immediately available early Friday.

It was not immediately clear whether the driver of the car had been taken to a hospital.

Speranza said the minivan driver had been transporting what appeared to be hydrochloric acid mixed with other unknown chemicals.

Hydrochloric acid, also called hydrogen chloride, is used to lower pH levels and to remove stains from swimming pools.

The CDC reports the colorless chemical can cause irritation and burns if inhaled at high concentrations.

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