A leak from a valve at a unit that had been shut down for maintenance took place at Neste Oil's Porvoo refinery this afternoon, involving LPG containing a very small quantity of hydrofluoric acid. As a result of the leak, a general alarm was issued covering the refinery site and surrounding area in Tolkkinen and people were instructed to stay inside. The leak proved to be minor and the instruction calling for people to stay inside was rescinded at around 4 p.m. local time for all areas other than the immediate vicinity of the leak. No injuries have been incurred as a result of the leak. As LPG, which is colorless and non-toxic, is highly inflammable, a leak of this material is always potential dangerous.
Measures to deal with the leak are currently under way and are being managed by the refinery's fire service in collaboration with the Eastern Uusimaa rescue services.
