Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 4-19-25

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 – 292 (287 highway, 4 air, 1 rail, 0 water)

• Serious incidents – 0 (0 Bulk release, 0 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 0 major artery closed, 0 fire/explosion, 6 no release)

• Total amount released – 625-gal

• Largest container involved – 25,062-gal DOT 117J100W Railcar {Petroleum Distillates, N.O.S. Or Petroleum Products, N.O.S.} Manway gasket deteriorated resulted in a vapor release.

• Largest amount spilled – 80-gal Plastic IBC {Corrosive Liquids, N.O.S.} Heavier freight stacked on top damaged IBC.

NOTE: Links above are to Form 5800.1 for the described incidents. Links are no longer working for report numbers in the database.

Most Interesting Chemical: Hydrofluoric Acid, Solution - A colorless fuming mobile aqueous solution with a pungent odor. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Highly toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Exposure to fumes or very short contact with liquid may cause severe painful burns; penetrates skin to cause deep-seated ulceration that may lead to gangrene. Fumes in air. Fumes are highly irritating, corrosive, and poisonous. Generates much heat on dissolution. Heat can cause spattering, fuming, etc. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).