CORDOVA, Ill. — Update Thursday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m.: A spokesperson with 3M sent News 8 a statement regarding a tanker trailer spilling near the plant Wednesday. According to the statement, it was being operated by a 3M contractor.
The statement can be read in its entirety below:
A tanker trailer operated by a 3M logistics contractor detached from its vehicle and spilled less than 10 gallons of isooctyl acrylate on the public highway as it was leaving our Cordova, Ill., facility. There were no injuries, no other vehicles were involved, and 3M’s first responder team worked with local authorities to contain the area and clean up the material quickly after the incident. Isooctyl acrylate is a material used in medical grade adhesives.
Employee safety is a core value at 3M, and we are committed to ensuring a safe working environment for our team members across our operations.
Previous Story:
Portions of Highway 84 were shut down Wednesday night after a semi-truck carrying a flammable liquid tipped over.
According to Illinois State Police, officers were called to the scene shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when a 2018 Peterbilt truck overturned after pulling out of the Cordova 3M plant. Officers estimate the tanker spilled between five and 10 gallons of isooctyl acrylate, a flammable chemical. The truck's driver wasn't injured in the accident.
Highway 84 was shut down as the Cordova Fire Department cleaned up the chemical around 5:30 p.m. while a News 8 photojournalist was on the scene.
The accident remains under investigation. News 8 will update this story as more information becomes available.
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