NEW YORK, Nov. 13 -- New York City authorities searched Wednesday for the person responsible for putting out as household trash a container of acid that exploded in the bin of a garbage truck, killing a sanitation worker. Michael Hanly, 49, inhaled hydrofluoric acid that sprayed on his face from a gallon jug as it was crushed in his truck's compactor Tuesday, Department of Sanitation officials said.
His partner, Thomas Giammarino, 42, was also burned by the potent substance when he came to Hanly's aid on a Brooklyn street, said department spokesman Lucian Chalfen. If found, the person responsible could be charged with aggravated assault and possibly murder for recklessly discarding the dangerous material, authorities said. 'What was done was at best very negligent by whoever left it there on the street in an unmarked bag,' said Chalfen, who said the solution was a mix of 70 percent acid and other chemicals. Hydrofluoric acid is used for industrial purposes such as etching glass and cleaning buildings. Chalfen said it was definitely not something that would be found in household trash. Hanly and Giammarino were rushed to the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center burn unit where Hanly died and Giamarrino was listed in stable condition. Hanly is survived by his wife and three daughters.
