By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – Honeywell corporation officials say they've identified the source of a leak yesterday at their Metropolis nuclear fuel site. The probable source was a gasket seal and a valve that opened improperly. The valve released nitrogen and approximately a gallon of hydrofluoric acid. Honeywell spokesman Peter Dalpe says water from the plants mitigation towers prevented any of the acid and gas from escaping the plant site. Dalpe says the incident caused no injuries. Investigators do not believe operator error caused the leak. Honeywell notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the leak, and an NRC representative met with plant managers today. A full investigation into the root cause is still pending.