By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – Honeywell officials have finished an internal investigation into a hydrofluoric acid leak at the company's Metropolis nuclear fuel plant. The leak occurred December 22. A company statement says the investigation confirmed earlier reports that the cause was a faulty valve. Honeywell says safety systems worked effectively. Less than a gallon of acid leaked out, and none made it off-site. Workers have replaced the valve and inspected the area. Because the leak was not related to nuclear material, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission did not conduct an independent inquiry.