Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 8-2-25

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 – 613 (582 highway, 27 air, 4 rail, 0 water)

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

• Largest container involved – 9,300-gal DOT 406 Trailer {Gasoline Includes Gasoline Mixed With Ethyl Alcohol, With Not More Than 10% Alcohol} Overfill protection valve failure, spill during unloading.

• Largest amount spilled – 330-gal Plastic IBC {Corrosive Liquid, Basic, Inorganic, N.O.S.} Forklift strike.

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 4426.1-gal

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

Most Interesting Chemical: Nitric Acid Other Than Red Fuming, With More Than 70 Percent Nitric Acid: A pale yellow to reddish brown liquid with reddish brown vapors and a suffocating odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals or tissue. Accelerates the burning of combustible material and may cause ignition of combustible materials upon contact. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Density 12 lb / gal. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).