Chemical Spill Clean-Up At S.J. Post Office

A San Jose post office will be closed today and part of Friday until hazardous materials clean-up crews can thoroughly clean a spill that occurred today, the U.S. Postal Service reported. -- A San Jose post office will be closed today and part of Friday until hazardous materials clean-up crews can thoroughly clean a spill that occurred today, the U.S. Postal Service reported.

A call was received today at 9:27 a.m. from the Robertsville Post Office at 1175 Branham Lane regarding a package that was leaking a chemical that reportedly smelled like paint thinner. The container inside was marked "photo processing," San Jose fire Capt. Jose Guerrero said.

The complex was evacuated and electrical service was cut off so as not to ignite the flammable chemical, Guerrero said.

One person was treated at the scene despite having no symptoms, Guerrero said.

One San Jose hazardous materials team was called in and another team from Santa Clara was called as well but relieved upon arrival, Guerrero said.

The Robertsville Post Office will make letter class deliveries to its 60 routes today with packages being delivered Friday. The building will remain closed to customers and employees until it has been declared safe, postal officials said.

The flammable chemical has been identified as bromobenzene, Guerrero said.

Bromobenzene has been used as an additive for motor oil and can be used as a solvent but benzenes, in general, are being phased out due to environmental issues, according to Kris Sebring of New Jersey-based chemical company Mallinckrodt Baker.

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