THE Seymour Fire Brigade was joined by several brigades and police officers from around the area to contain a sodium hypochlorite leak early on Friday morning.
The leak spilled a large quantity of the substance, which is used as a disinfectant in the treatment of drinking water, at the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Considered a hazardous material, St John Ambulance Australia note that exposure to concentrated and large amounts of sodium hypochlorite can be toxic.
Exposure to fumes can burn the lungs and respiratory system, burn the skin if it comes into contact in its undiluted form and creates a painful stinging sensation if exposed to the eyes.
Small, diluted amounts, like what can be found in drinking water, have been endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council as safe for consumption since 1983.
The spill was contained and a joint effort from Seymour Fire Brigade and Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters declared the scene safe later that day.
