Chemical Transportation Incidents – Week of 6-27-26

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 – 544 (521 highway, 16 air, 7 rail, 0 water) 

• Serious incidents – 8 (6 Bulk release, 2 evacuation, 0 injury, 0 death, 2 major artery closed, 2 fire/explosion, 29 no release)  

• Largest container involved – 33,980-gal DOT 112J340W Railcar {Butane See Also Petroleum Gases, Liquefied} Overloaded and overpressure due to ambient heating. 

• Largest amount spilled – 500-gal DOT 111A100W1 Railcar {Ammonium Nitrate, Liquid (Hot Concentrated Solution)} Corrosion hole in tank and liner. 

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 3163.5-gal 

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

Most Interesting Chemical: Pyrethroid Pesticide, Liquid Toxic: Pyrethroid Pesticide, Liquid, TOXIC is an insecticidal liquid consisting either of a single pyrethroid or a mixture of pyrethroids or a solution of such a pyrethroid or mixture dissolved in a organic solvent having a flash point exceeding 100°F. A pyrethroid pesticide is a substance possessing the terpenoid structure and insecticidal properties that are characteristic of the pyrethrins. The pyrethrins are terpenoid esters that are obtained from flower heads of the chrysanthemum and related species or by synthesis. The most prominent are pyrethrin I (C21H28O3) and pyrethrin II (C22H28O5 ) which are the major active ingredients in pyrethrum powder. Both of these compounds are water-insoluble oily liquids. The insecticide/carrier mixture is toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).