Tauranga's new $800,000 Hazmat Command Unit is helping to contain a hazardous chemical incident in Edgecumbe.

Fire communications acting shift manager Tony McDonald says the incident involves a Trans Pacific tanker.

He says the tanker sucked in nitric acid into its container and the chemical reaction had created plumes of noxious fumes.

The incident occurred at the Fonterra plant on East Bank Road in Edgecumbe at about 10.30am.

Tony says an area around the tanker is cordoned off and drains are blocked off.

The Greerton based command unit will coordinate efforts to contain the incident, which involves fire fighters from Kawerau and Edgecumbe.

A team from Orica Chemnet in Mount Maunganui is also assisting to dispose of chemical substances at the scene.