Transportation Chemical Incidents – Week of 8-9-25

Reporting Background

See this post for explanation, with the most recent update here.

Data from PHMSA’s online database of transportation related chemical incidents that have been reported to the agency.

Incidents Summary

• Number of incidents – 592 (553 highway, 35 air, 4 rail, 0 water)

• Serious incidents – 2 (1 Bulk release, 1 evacuation, 1 injury, 0 death, 0 major artery closed, 1 fire/explosion, 40 no release)

• Largest container involved – 31,730-gal DOT 117J100W Railcar {Hydrocarbons, Liquid, N.O.S.} Two bolts on manway less than tool tight.

• Largest amount spilled – 614.9-gal 1-gal plastic containers inside cardboard boxes {Corrosive Liquids, N.O.S.} no description of cause available.

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 2089.3-gal

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

Most Interesting Chemical: Chlorite Solution: A colorless liquid consisting of a chlorite dissolved in water. Corrosive to skin and/or metals. CHLORITE SOLUTION is an oxidizing agent. Can react with acids to form spontaneously explosive chlorine dioxide gas (ClO2). Reacts with ammonia to produce ammonium chlorite, which is shock-sensitive. Finely divided metallic or organic substances in dry mixture with chlorites are highly flammable and may be ignited on friction  (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).