Suspicious Substance Prompts HazMat Response to Salem Business

A suspicious substance left over in a container used overseas prompted an emergency response Thursday morning to a Salem business.

Salem Fire officials joined members of Southeastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials Mutual Aid District to respond to the scene of Nora Systems Inc. on 9 Northeastern Boulevard shortly before 10 a.m.

James Stone, who serves as Regional Emergency Planning Committee (REPC) director of the HazMat unit, said that the substance previously in the container was adaptic acid, which was confirmed to be the suspicious powder.

The container was shipped from Germany before arriving in New Jersey on May 22. It was then put on a truck and brought to Salem.

According to Salem Fire Capt. Stephane Cattin, the company produces rubber flooring.

He said the workers made the absolute right decision in calling the situation in.

"When they opened (the container) they saw a small amount of unknown substance, white powder looking substance at the bottom of the container, which should not have been there in their eyes."

The container was sealed and the workers went through normal procedures.

The amount of adaptic acid in the container was about a half a cup, which Stone called "very minimal."

The substance was cleaned up and the area was secured until clearance was granted from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Nobody was forced to evacuate the adjacent building, but four workers were outside with HazMat and Salem Fire officials during the incident.

The town of Salem belongs to the HazMat response along with over a dozen communities.

When the team responds to an incident, they take samples of the substance, put it through readers and provide instant information in the field.