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Iowa officials: Anhydrous ammonia tank leak stopped

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August 13th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

COLLINS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in central Iowa say crews have stopped a leak that sent plumes of dangerous anhydrous ammonia into an area around Collins.

Hazardous materials crews were called around 11 a.m. Tuesday to Landus Cooperative, where a 30,000-gallon tank of anhydrous ammonia leaked. The Story County Sheriff’s Office says first responders immediately evacuated an area in the southeast corner of Collins.

A news release by the sheriff’s office says the leak was contained around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and the evacuation order lifted. No injuries were reported.

Anhydrous ammonia is a farm fertilizer that is stored under pressure as a liquid, but becomes a lethal, suffocating gas when released from pressure. Even thin fumes can cause breathing difficulty and irritation to eyes, nose or throat.