NZ defence force use controlled explosion to defuse hazardous chemical at biotech site (updated)

BLIS Technologies

12/07/2019 01:47

(Adds controlled explosion, details on chemical involved,
shares)
    July 12 (Reuters) - New Zealand's defence force conducted a
controlled explosion at a South Dunedin site owned by
biotechnology company Blis Technologies Ltd  BLT.NZ  on Friday
after being called to deal with a hazardous chemical incident,
said authorities. 
    The site has now reopened and police cordons removed, Blis
and Fire and Emergency New Zealand said in separate statements.
    "The chemical was disposed of safely via a controlled
detonation at the site by the New Zealand Defence Force around
9.45am (2045 GMT) this morning," Fire and Emergency New Zealand
said in a statement. 
    Police had earlier cordoned off several streets in the area
to dispose of the container where some "hydrazine monohydrate
had crystalised". 
    Hydrazine is used in making pharmaceuticals among other
things and exposure to it can cause irritation and seizures in
humans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies it
as a probable human carcinogen.
    Blis said staff noticed the deterioration of a container
holding a substance used in basic research during a chemical
stock review.
    Shares of Blis fell as much as 5.4% to NZ$0.035. The company
added that it will review the incident. 
    

 (Reporting by Nikhil Kurian Nainan in Bengaluru; Editing by
Lisa Shumaker and Michael Perry)
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