Donner Pass rest area closed for “green substance” hazmat

The Donner Pass rest area was closed for cleanup of a hazmat spill after a large leak from the back of a semi truck. 

The California Highway Patrol was called to the Donner Pass rest area on eastbound Interstate 80 at about 1:50 p.m. on Monday, May 13th after receiving calls reporting a “green substance” spilling out of a tractor trailer. 

According to the Sierra Sun, officers arrived at the rest area and cleared the entire property as a precaution as they waited for hazmat teams to arrive. 15 minutes later, CalFire and Truckee Fire Department arrived and determined that the material was phosphoric acid. 

An estimated two tons of phosphoric acid was spilled in the incident. 

Nevada County Environmental Health and Fish and Wildlife also responded to the scene and determined that nearby waters and aqueducts were not affected by the spill. No further information has been released.