According to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, an area farmer lost his load in Mt. Victory Friday as they navigated through the village.
Just after 11:00 AM, emergency crews were dispatched to the intersection of Main and Taylor Streets on reports of paint on the roadway.
Crews from Southeast Hardin Northwest Union Joint Fire District, Hardin County Hazmat Team, the Kenton Fire Department, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Hardin County Emergency Management Agency responded to the scene.
Upon further investigation, crews discovered that it was, in fact, not paint, but rather granulated Atrazine, which is used in agriculture to control weeds.
The area was isolated with the help of the Ridgeway Fire Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.
Initial attempts were made to contain the spill; however, due to heavy rain, the chemical entered the village storm drains and flowed into Wildcat Creek.
Floating chemical absorbent booms were placed downstream prior to the rainfall to mitigate some of the release.
Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the spill.
While the fire department made every effort to limit runoff, some was unavoidable due to the heavy rainfall.
The EPA is currently on site and has stated that there is no risk to human health.
A hazmat cleaning team is in the process of removing the substance.
Unfortunately, the roadway will show some staining for some time.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources knows the potential impact on wildlife and monitors the situation.
