Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 5-24-25

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 – 520 (488 highway, 31 air, 1 rail, 0 water)

• Serious incidents – 3 (3 Bulk release, 2 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 1 major artery closed, 0 fire/explosion, 26 no release)

• Largest container involved – 9,500-gal Tank wagon {Diesel Fuel} Overfilled.

• Largest amount spilled – 215-gal Plastic IBC {Ethyl Alcohol} Packaging failure.

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 1533.9 gal

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

Most Interesting Chemical: Resorcinol - Very white crystalline solid that becomes pink on exposure to light if not completely pure. Burns although ignition is difficult. Density approximately 1.28 g / cm3. Irritating to skin and eyes. Toxic by skin absorption. Used to make plastics and pharmaceuticals. Has a potentially explosive reaction with concentrated nitric acid [Lewis]. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).