Last summer 11 workers at the Urbana plant were hospitalized after a truck driver failed to attach a hose correctly and they were exposed to sulfuric acid.
However, it is also applicable in locations where smelter acid is not available by the purchase of sulfuric acid or the manufacture of sulfuric acid from sulfur or pyrite.
Mr. TOM McCOLLOM (Geochemist, University of Colorado): The sulfate salts that are in there come from reaction of the rock with sulfuric acid rather than from evaporation of a fluid.
Sergei Filin, the artistic director of the Bolshoi ballet, suffered severe burns to his eyes and face on Jan. 17 when a masked attacker threw a jar of sulfuric acid in his face as he returned home late at night.