An accidental spill of muriatic acid resulted in a 90-minute closure of Murray Boulevard in Beaverton early Thursday morning. Firefighters were dispatched to Murray Blvd. and Beard Road shortly after 8:30 a.m., after reports were received of a substance fuming on the road surface. On arrival, firefighters found a wet patch in a single southbound lane of Murray, just south of Beard Road. Visible fumes were rising from the patch, and motorists and pedestrians were traveling through it. The Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Hazardous Materials Response Team was called to the scene, as were Beaverton Police.

Firefighters and police closed Murray Blvd. in both directions between Beard and Weir Roads. Based upon a label found in the street and sampling by hazmat team members, it was determined that a one-gallon container of muriatic acid had apparently fallen from a passing vehicle and broken open on the street. Muriatic acid (also known as hydrochloric acid) is a strong acid used to etch glass and clean masonry. Physical contact can cause burns and vapors are irritating to the eyes and respiratory passages. There have been no reports of anyone suffering adverse effects from this morning’s spill.

The material neutralized itself on the road surface, and Murray was reopened to traffic at 10:20 a.m. A crew from Beaverton’s public works department remained on scene blocking a single southbound lane, pending the arrival of an environmental firm that will remove residue from the road surface.

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