Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 2-27-24

Reporting Background – See this post for explanation.

Data from PHMSA’s online database of transportation related chemical incidents that have been reported to the agency.

NOTE: The database was ‘under maintenance’ this weekend so this is the first chance I have had to get last week’s report done.

Incidents Summary

Number of incidents – 75 (70 highway, 5 air, 0 rail)

Serious incidents – 0 (0 Bulk release, 0 injuries, 0 deaths, 0 major artery closed)

Largest container involved – SuperSack (Environmentally Hazardous Substances, Solid, N.O.S.) less than 1-lb spilled.

Largest amount spilled – 160-lbs (Batteries, Wet, Filled with Acid, Electric Storage) from large plastic box due to forklift accident.

Most Interesting Chemical: 2-Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate, UN 2522. A clear colorless liquid. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air and corrosive to eyes and mucous membranes. May polymerize exothermically if heated or contaminated. If polymerization takes place inside a closed container, the container may rupture violently. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Toxic by skin absorption, ingestion and inhalation. Used to make plastics and in textiles.