Chemical Transportation Incidents – Week of 6-13-26

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 – 559 (515 highway, 42 air, 2 rail, 0 water) 

• Serious incidents – 6 (5 Bulk release, 0 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 0 major artery closed, 2 fire/explosion, 58 no release)  

• Largest container involved – 24,387-gal DOT 117J100W Railcar {Gasoline Includes Gasoline Mixed with Ethyl Alcohol, with Not More Than 10% Alcohol} Manway bolt not tool tight. 

• Largest amount spilled – 21,250-gal DOT 111A100W1 Railcar {Elevated Temperature Liquid, N.O.S., At or Above 100 C And Below Its Flash Point (Including Molten Metals, Molten Salts, Etc.)} Derailment during switching operations punctured tank. 

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 3305.7-gal 

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

Most Interesting Chemical: Potassium Permanganate: A purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material. If the combustible material is finely divided the mixture may be explosive. Contact with liquid combustible materials may result in spontaneous ignition. Contact with sulfuric acid may cause fire or explosion. Used to make other chemicals and as a disinfectant. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).