Carbon dioxide leak prompts building evacuation

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Phoenix, Goodyear and Tolleson Fire Departments were at the scene near 70th Avenue and Buckeye Road on Monday for a carbon dioxide leak. Personnel were evacuated from the commercial building and they were all accounted for, according to officials.

"The building is equipped with a CO2 tank. The initial HazMat units on scene are reporting that they have detected CO2 on their meters. CO2 is a colorless and odorless gas that can decrease the oxygen levels in an area. Human bodies exhale CO2 as the byproduct of respiration so the chemical itself is not hazardous unless it displaces Oxygen," stated Phoenix Fire Department Captain Larry Subervi.

The crews later secured two leaking CO2 lines and continued to monitor the air. Subervi says the CO2 levels are decreasing.

First responders said there is no threat to the environment or surrounding communities.

>>SkyFOX VIDEO from the scene: facebook.com/FOX10Phoenix/videos/1644122388969635