Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 4-13-24

Reporting Background

See this post for explanation, with an update here (removed from paywall).

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

Incidents Summary

• Number of incidents – 469 (384 highway, 78 air, 7 rail, water 0)

• Serious incidents – 5 (4 Bulk release, 1 evacuations, 0 injuries, 0 deaths, 0 major arteries closed, 1 fire).

• Largest container involved – 34,300-gal DOT 111A100W1 railcar (Hexanes) Loose plug on liquid valve in protective housing. 0.25-gal leaked.

• Largest amount spilled – 440-gal (Epichlorohydrin) Fork lift punctured drum during loading. NOTE: this should probably be '440-lbs' since you cannot get 440-gal in a 55 gal drum.

Most Interesting Chemical: Epichlorohydrin: A clear colorless liquid with an irritating chloroform-like odor. Density 9.8 lb / gal. Flash point 87°F. Polymerizable. If polymerization takes place inside a closed container, the container is subject to violent rupture. Irritates the skin and respiratory system. Toxic by ingestion. A confirmed carcinogen. Vapors heavier than air. Used to make plastics and as a solvent.

NOTE: I have spent a lot of time working with epichlorhydin in chemical manufacturing. I have worked with drum quantities, but bulk storage is the preferred option for handling epi because of the safety measures needed to protect storage containers from direct flame inpingement. Commercial deliveries are typically made by tank truck or rail cars. For a long time, drum deliveries were not available from US manufacturers because of liability issues for drum sized accidents like the one reported here.