EAST GREENWICH, NJ – A foul odor raised concern in communities across Gloucester County today, prompting a hazardous material team (Hazmat) response to a truck stop on Berkeley Road in East Greenwich.
According to county officials, at 3:07 p.m. Gloucester County 9-1-1 Communications began receiving calls from hundreds of residents complaining of a natural gas odor throughout Gloucester County.
“Police and Fire throughout numerous municipalities responded with the same complaint. Gloucester County 9-1-1 Communications then received a 9-1-1 call from the Travel Center Truck Stop on Berkley Road in East Greenwich Township advising that there was a gas leak coming from a tractor-trailer parked in the lot,” Gloucester County officials reported Wednesday evening. “Upon Police and Fire Department’s arrival, it was confirmed that a trailer is venting off large amounts of gas from the parked trailer. The chemical being released is Lubrozol (Zinc Alkyldithiophosphate) that may cause eye/skin irritation when you come in contact with it.”
Lubrozol is typically used as a fuel additive. Police and responders contained the leak and are now monitoring the air quality.
“Upon confirmation of the exact location of the chemical leak at 3:27 p.m., all emergency resources responded to the Truck Stop,” police said. “Numerous resources are currently on location monitoring and attempting to mitigate the venting along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The trailer company has a team enroute to offload the chemical from the trailer. Monitoring of the situation is ongoing and all Fire & Haz-Mat responders are taking proper precautions for the chemical release.”
The chemical is contained at this time and it is recommended that everyone remain inside their homes and limit any outdoor activities.