Utah chemical spill forces evacuations

[Rose Siding]

SALT LAKE CITY -- A railcar leaking toxic chemicals sent plumes of gas into the air Sunday and forced the evacuation of more than 6,000 people.

Authorities evacuated a half-square mile area downwind from the accident site and closed at least nine roads after the leak was discovered by crews loading chemicals into a parked railcar in South Salt Lake.

"We're speculating that the liner in the railcar must have failed," Union Pacific spokesman John Bromley said.

No injuries were reported.

The chemicals involved -- hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid -- can cause severe burns if they come into direct contact with skin or eyes.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/03/06/utah_chemical_spill_forces_evacuations/

[NVMojo]

1. jeez, louise!!!

[Hershman]

2. Those are 3 nasty chemicals

HCl and HNO3 are bad enough (hydrochloric and nitric respectively) but HF (hydrofluoric) will attack your bones. It has to be stored in plastic because it will eat glass.

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Hershman!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Chipper Chat]

3. Have aliens landed?

Wasn't this scenario in Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

[adigal]

4. This is a big worry

as far as terrorism, like that other railcar that leaked down in the south a few months ago, and killed people.

If it were terror, as I wondered about the other one, we would never hear of it.

[bemildred]

5. Dang, instant aqua regia. Don't breath that stuff either. nt