Cops: Oser Avenue chemicals stabilized

A 55-gallon drum of an unstable chemical material in Hauppauge led authorities to close off eastbound Oser Avenue by Marcus Boulevard for several hours on Tuesday before it was stabilized, Suffolk police said.

There was no leak from the drum at Pall Corp., but the material in it was undergoing a chemical change, police said. A stabilizing agent arrived, police said, and authorities were able to reopen Oser Avenue.

During a routine inspection of Pall's facility, "an unopened 55-gallon drum was observed to be bulging," company spokesman Doug Novarro said in an emailed statement. "In accordance with recommended safety standards, employees were evacuated, the local fire department was called to the scene and the provider of the material was notified. As an extra precaution, a small portion of Oser Avenue was temporarily closed off. The drum has now been stabilized and employees have returned to work."

Problems were first reported about 1 p.m., police said. The office is at 225 Marcus Blvd.