The Nation - News from Aug. 19, 1985

A tanker truck began leaking toxic sulfuric trioxide near Cross Lanes, W.Va., forcing the evacuation of more than 50 persons from 30 homes and the closing of a six-mile stretch of Interstate 64, authorities said. Sulfur trioxide is an irritant and “is pretty dangerous stuff,” said Kanawha County Sheriff’s Lt. D.E. Drennan. He said there was no threat of explosion. Workers at Du Pont’s plant at Belle, about 10 miles away, where the truck was bound, were summoned to contain and mop up the spill, which occurred two miles from Institute, W.Va., site of a toxic chemical leak at a Union Carbide plant last week.