The dangerous chemical spillage happened during an equipment maintenance operation at an ice factory in the commercial area of Olhão’s docks on Thursday afternoon.
Eight people were injured as a result of inhaling ammonia fumes, according to the Captain of the Port of Olhão, Rui Ferreira.
Those affected by the powerful vapour included one GNR officer as well as seven firefighters all of whom, "were taken to the hospital but were not seriously injured and are out of any danger."
The ammonia leak happened during a botched equipment maintenance operation and Rui Ferreira said that "There is no danger to the population or to the Ria Formosa estuary as ammonia dissipates in the air."
Ammonia also dissolves readily in water to form ammonium hydroxide, an alkaline solution.
In the air even low airborne concentrations (100 ppm) of ammonia may produce rapid eye and nose irritation. Higher concentrations may cause severe eye injury.
Contact with concentrated ammonia solutions such as some industrial cleaners may cause serious corrosive injury, including skin burns, permanent eye damage, or blindness.
The full extent of damage to the eyes may not be clear until up to 1 week after the injury is sustained but it seems those affected today were not in contact with the concentrated fumes for any prolonged length of time.
Navigation was allowed to continue in the Ria Formosa but was prohibited in the Docapaesca area of Olhão where the Fingelo Lda factory, the source of the leak, is located.
