Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 1-25-25

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 – 417 (357 highway, 54 air, 6 rail, 0 water)

• Serious incidents – 3 (1 Bulk release, 1 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 1 major artery closed, 4 fire/explosion, 18 no release)

• Largest container involved – 36,540-gal Truck { Nitric Acid other than Red Fuming, with more than 70 Percent Nitric Acid} Vehicle roll over. NOTE: I suspect that this should have been pounds not gallons.

• Largest amount spilled – 240-gal Plastic IBC {Bisulfites, Aqueous Solutions, N.O.S.} Forklift strike.

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

Most Interesting Chemical: Fluorosilicic Acid – A colorless fuming liquid with a penetrating pungent odor. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Both the fumes and very short contact with the liquid can cause severe and painful burns. Used in water fluoridation, in hardening cement and ceramics, as a wood preservative. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov). See my post here about an incident involving this chemical.