Ammonium nitrate spill clean-up in Tamaqua

The Tamaqua police and fire departments responded to a reported white powder spill stretching from the Five Points intersection (SR209 and SR309) down to the intersection of Cedar and Center sts. (SR 309) Monday around 2 p.m. Reportedly a truck was spilling ammonium nitrate, which is a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, NH4NO3, usually produced by reacting nitric acid with vaporous ammonia. It is used chiefly in explosives, fertilizers, freezing mixtures, and in the manufacture of nitrous oxide. During the cleanup authorities blocked access to the sporadic spills located throughout Center Street.