Officials release update on nitric acid spill that injured one employee in Radford

An employee was hospitalized following a nitric acid spill in the Radford Army Ammunition Plant railyard on April 22, 2025. The incident was likely caused by mechanical failure. The employee was airlifted for assessment. All personnel sheltered in place until the emergency response team secured the area. Montgomery County provided standby support. No risk to the surrounding community or environment was detected. The initial spill volume estimate of 600 gallons was later revised to 6,500 gallons of weak nitric acid. Operations at the plant have since resumed.