Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 5-4-24

Reporting Background

See this post for explanation, with the most recent 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 – 505 (442 highway, 57 air, 6 rail, water 0)

• Serious incidents – 5 (4 Bulk release, 1 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 2 major artery closed, 0 fire/explosion).

• Largest container involved – 31,760-gal DOT 111A100W1 railcar { Petroleum Distillates, N.O.S. Or Petroleum Products, N.O.S.} Overloaded tank car leaking from pressure relief device. Leaked about 5-gal, 3,500 gallons removed.

• Largest amount spilled – 7,108-gal DOT 407 trailer (Diesel Fuel) Loading arm left attached and truck drove away. API valve broke off.

NOTE: Links above are to the Form 5800.1 for the described incidents.

Most Interesting Chemical: Dichloromethane: A colorless, volatile liquid that is used as a Solvent and cleaning agent. Methylene chloride is a highly effective solvent for many synthetic resins, oils, greases, and waxes. It is found in paint removers and as aerosol propellants. Methylene chloride can also be used as an Insecticide. EPA recently published a final rule preventing consumer access to the chemical, restricting the industrial and commercial use of the chemical while also allowing for a reasonable transition period where an industrial and commercial use of the chemical is being prohibited.

NOTE: This reporting is being moved from Saturday to Friday so that I can provide incident report links.