Toxic Rocket Fuel Spills On Workers

A capful of toxic rocket propellant splashed on workers Monday at Kennedy Space Center, sending eight people to the KSC infirmary.

Four technicians and four firefighters were treated at Kennedy’s medical center and released, said NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham.

The fuel is used in shuttle thrusters and can burn and be toxic if inhaled.

On Monday, technicians were replacing a valve on a fuel line that they thought was empty. However, a remnant of the fuel called monomethylhydrazine splashed onto the workers, officials said.

“It’s highly toxic and real nasty stuff,” Buckingham said.

The workers were wearing special masks and gloves, but the chemical burned through one technician’s clothing, causing superficial burns.