No worries, just your standard cloud of hydrochloric acid

The Kaneka Texas Corp. in Bayport let loose a cloud of hydrochloric acid around 2 a.m. Friday but so far as we can tell nobody lost any sleep over it.

The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's Kaneka Corp., has been in operation since 1982 and is located at 6161 Underwood Road, Pasadena, TX.

Kaneka officials told the state the hydrochloric vapor cloud was "knocked down" by water from fire monitors.

Further, Kaneka said, "The leak lasted about 10 minutes. The wind was slightly blowing from the north and the vapor cloud was followed and did not leave our property."

So please not to worry, a'rright?

The hydrochloric acid vapor cloud emanated from a "leaking autmatic (sic) valve, the company said.

The size of the leak was estimated at 100 pounds but Kaneka said a final estimate will be made within a week.

Hycrochloric acid (or "HCI" as we in the business call it) is more hazardous than most chemicals in 7 out of 10 ranking systems.

Kaneka Texas says its Pasadena plastics facility is "the largest modifier plant in the world."