- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
EPA Identifies Chemical Spill That Affected 260 Cars in Kansas
The spilled substance was sodium aluminate, a chemical used in water treatment and manufacturing.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The EPA has identified the chemical compound spilled in Garnett, Kansas, on December 31, 2025 as sodium aluminate, a strong base used in water treatment, manufacturing, and construction. The spill impacted over 260 vehicles along two miles of roadway, and the EPA responded by treating the affected vehicles with a vinegar-water solution followed by a car wash.
Why it matters
Sodium aluminate is a corrosive substance that can cause damage to vehicles and pose a risk to public health if exposed. The EPA's identification of the spilled material and subsequent cleanup efforts were crucial to mitigating the impact on the local community and environment.
The details
Recent laboratory analysis confirmed the EPA's preliminary field screening results, identifying the spilled material as sodium aluminate, a chemical compound typically used in water and wastewater treatment, paper and glass manufacturing, and as a solidification accelerant in construction. The spill occurred along two miles of roadway in Garnett, Kansas, impacting over 260 vehicles. The EPA responded by treating the affected vehicles with a vinegar-water solution followed by a traditional car wash to neutralize and remove the corrosive substance.
- The spill occurred on December 31, 2025.
- Throughout the week of January 4, 2026, the EPA treated 266 impacted vehicles in Garnett.
The players
EPA
The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.
Sodium Aluminate
A chemical compound typically used in water and wastewater treatment, paper and glass manufacturing, and as a solidification accelerant in construction.
The takeaway
The EPA's swift identification and response to the sodium aluminate spill in Garnett, Kansas, demonstrates the agency's commitment to protecting public safety and the environment, even in the face of unknown chemical incidents.
