Closure of San Francisco Bay Area Freeway due to Hazardous Material Spill

A spill of hazardous material shut down a section of eastbound Highway 92 just west of Highway 101 in San Mateo on Thursday afternoon, and the closure is expected to continue into the evening, impacting the commute, officials said.

“Public safety officials are on scene evaluating the liquid spill and are asking surrounding locations to shelter in place,” the San Mateo Police Department said.

Police said anyone who lives within a quarter-mile of the spill should shelter in place.

The San Mateo Fire Department identified the substance as sodium bisulfite, a mixture of salts that can smell like rotten eggs. It can irritate the eyes, skin and mucous membranes “if inhaled, ingested, or comes in contact with eyes or skin,” San Mateo police said.

“If you drove through the spill, on Highway 92, the material is a very low risk,” the police said. “It is slightly corrosive, and it should be washed off your car with lots of water.”

During the cleanup effort, officials have also closed 19th Avenue from Grant to South Norfolk, and this closure will continue into the morning of July 14, officials said.

KCBS Radio reported that the closures are creating traffic backups.