Article: Va. Plant Hit by Blast Is Closed;Officials Say Acid Exceeded Limits

A Sterling electronics plant where 16 persons were injured in a chemical explosion Monday has been closed after Loudoun County officials found several 55-gallon drums of sulfuric acid at the site, far in excess of the amount the company's building permit allowed.

Tony Fullerton, a spokesman for the company, Automata Inc., said yesterday that the violation was "strictly an oversight" and that officials hope to have the plant back in operation by the end of the week. Automata Inc. makes computer circuit boards at the hangar-like facility on Rte. 28 about four miles north of Dulles International Airport.

Automata's certificate of occupancy allows the company to store one 55-gallon drum of ...

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