A leaking valve on a liquid nitrogen tanker truck led to the closure of an intersection west of Lompoc on Sunday. 

At approximately 5:20 p.m. personnel from the California Highway Patrol along with the Lompoc, Santa Barbara County and Vandenberg Space Force Base fire departments responded to the hazardous materials incident, county fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

The leaky tanker truck, filled with approximately 7,800 pounds of product, was near the intersection of West Central Avenue at North Artesia Avenue. 

“Liquid nitrogen is an inert, non-flammable gas that rapidly dissipates in open air but can pose an asphyxiation risk and cause frostbite due to extreme cold in the immediate area of the leaking valve,” Safechuck said. 

The county’s HazMat 31 crew responded to isolate the leaking valve. 

If the leaking valve can’t be fixed, the product may be transferred to another tank or truck, Safechuck added. 

CHP officers closed the intersection until crews stopped the leak or transferred the liquid nitrogen gas.

The area between the city of Lompoc and Vandenberg Space Force Base is mostly made up of farm fields and ag facilities with few residences in the area.