COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Hazmat crews with the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) are investigating an unknown substance in the 2400 block of N Chelton Rd.
Initial reports say that a sanitation worker was exposed to the substance and transported to the hospital with significant chemical burns.
#ColoradoSpringsFire is on scene of a #workinghazmat on the 2400 Block of N Chelton Rd.
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) August 20, 2025
Initial reports are that a sanitation worker was exposed to an unknown substance. They were transported to a local hospital with significant chemical burns.
N Chelton Rd is currently down… pic.twitter.com/uULoWE66Uk
N Chelton Road is currently down to one lane as the hazmat crews continue to investigate.
Update as of 2:07 p.m.:
The CSFD hazmat crews have determined the substance to be sulfuric acid, a highly corrosive chemical.
The sanitation worker who was exposed had chemical burns on more than 60% of his body and is currently in critical condition and has been airlifted to a hospital in Denver.
CSFD says that hazmat will remain on scene for clean-up, and City Stormwater officials will be on scene to test nearby drains as a precaution.
The fire department wants to remind people to NEVER dispose of chemicals in their trash can. Improper chemical disposal can be harmful to you, the people around you, sanitation workers, first responders, and other community members.
If you have chemicals that need to be disposed of, you must do so at a chemical waste facility.
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