On July 25, 2025 roads near Lambert International Airport in St. Louis County were shut down when a hazmat incident unfolded at the former GKN Aerospace building (now owned by Boeing). According to reports, a truck was loading nitric acid at the facility around 9:10 a.m. when a leak occurred. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that the tanker spilled over a thousand gallons of nitric acid onto the parking lot and into a storm drain that feeds Coldwater Creek. Roads around the plant were closed until about 2:25 p.m. while multiple agencies—including the DNR, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Hazelwood police and several fire departments—responded to the incident.

Although the Hazelwood Fire Department later clarified that less than 1,000 gallons ultimately leaked, nitric acid in any amount is a hazardous material. In water, it quickly breaks down into nitrate and hydronium ions; the DNR noted that because the acid dissipates, they do not anticipate a cleanup in Coldwater Creek. Nonetheless, officials are conducting environmental sampling and urged the public to avoid contact with the creek. No injuries were reported, and a Boeing spokesperson emphasized that employee safety was the company’s first priority.

Why This Matters to Business Owners

Nitric acid is widely used in aerospace manufacturing, fertilizer production, metal finishing and explosives fabrication. It is highly corrosive and can cause burns and respiratory injury; large releases can acidify soils and waterways, harm aquatic life and corrode infrastructure. The July 25 spill demonstrates how an accident involving common industrial chemicals can trigger multi‑agency emergency responses and public warnings. Even though the chemical dissipated, the potential for environmental damage, regulatory scrutiny and third‑party claims is substantial.

Potential liabilities

Business owners whose operations involve hazardous chemicals—whether they are manufacturers, distributors, contractors or transportation companies—should be aware of the many exposures created by an accidental release:

• Emergency response and cleanup costs. Deploying hazmat crews, neutralizing the acid and monitoring water quality entail significant expense. Although nitric acid breaks down in water, containment and sampling can still cost thousands of dollars.
• Third‑party bodily injury and property damage. Residents and businesses along Coldwater Creek were warned to avoid the water. Claims could arise if people suffer chemical burns, respiratory problems or if property is damaged by acidic runoff.
• Natural resource damage (NRD) claims. Acidic water can injure aquatic ecosystems. If Coldwater Creek or downstream waterways are impacted, trustees such as the Missouri DNR or federal agencies could pursue NRD claims to restore or compensate for ecological losses.
• Regulatory fines and penalties. State and federal agencies enforce strict rules governing the storage and handling of hazardous substances. Violations can lead to fines, mandated corrective actions and ongoing monitoring requirements.
• Legal defense costs. Even if no one is physically harmed, companies may still face lawsuits from downstream property owners or government entities. Defense costs can quickly mount.
• Business interruption and reputational damage. The July 25 leak caused road closures and halted operations at the facility for several hours. Such disruptions can delay production and harm a company’s public image.

Pollution Liability Insurance as a Shield

Pollution liability insurance is specifically designed to protect businesses against the financial fallout from accidental releases of pollutants. For a facility like the Boeing‑owned site in Hazelwood, a robust policy would typically cover:

• Cleanup and emergency response costs. Policies reimburse expenses incurred to neutralize and remove pollutants from affected areas and to conduct required sampling and monitoring.
• Third‑party claims. Coverage addresses bodily injury and property damage claims from individuals or entities impacted by the spill, including costs for alternative water supplies and medical monitoring.
• Natural resource damage. A comprehensive policy covers claims brought by governmental trustees to assess, restore or compensate for damage to natural resources.
• Legal defense and regulatory penalties. Insurance can pay for attorneys’ fees to defend against lawsuits and may cover certain civil fines and penalties, depending on the policy wording.
• Business interruption and reputational repair. Some pollution policies include coverage for lost income due to mandatory shutdowns and may reimburse expenses related to crisis management and public relations.

Lessons for Business Owners

The Hazelwood nitric‑acid spill is a reminder that even routine operations like transferring chemicals can lead to costly accidents. In this case, quick action by emergency responders and the chemical’s ability to break down in water limited the consequences. A different spill—perhaps involving oil, solvents or toxic particulates—could have had far more severe environmental and financial repercussions.

Business owners should evaluate their operations for potential pollution exposures and consult with insurance professionals to secure appropriate pollution liability coverage. Doing so not only protects balance sheets; it demonstrates to regulators, clients and the public that the company is committed to environmental stewardship and risk management.