Two hospitalized after acid spill in Modesto

Two employees were hospitalized and others were evacuated Tuesday afternoon when peracetic acid spilled in a room at the Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Briggsmore Specialty Center in Modesto.

The employees suffered "minor exposure" to the acid, complaining of eye and throat irritation, said Modesto Fire Battalion Chief Hugo Patino. He said the employees were expected to be released this evening.

The center is located just east of Memorial Medical Center in the 1400 block of East Briggsmore Avenue. Slamon said the west side of the building was evacuated as a precaution.

By 5 p.m., the Stanislaus County Hazardous Materials Response Team cleared the area and declared it safe. Center officials were expected to hire a cleanup crew.

Peracetic acid is a mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in a watery solution. Peracetic acid, a bright colorless liquid, is used to disinfect medical supplies and has a piercing odor.