Hundreds of homes were evacuated in a western Cincinnati, Ohio suburb on Tuesday due to a freight railcar venting a dangerous liquid near their homes. Now, officials have said the railcar has stopped venting, and there are no air quality issues.
The chemical leaking out of the railcar is known as Styrene, a highly flammable and toxic liquid, which can be used to make plastic and rubber. Styrene was discovered to be leaking from a pressure release valve. The chemical poses a danger of respiratory issues, nausea, headaches, and long term exposure can result in organ failure, leading residents to be evacuated through Wednesday.
Mike Miller, of Central Railroad of Indiana said on Wednesday said the liquid inside the railcar appears to be solidifying, and the 14 other railcars on the freight consist were tested and moved away for monitoring.
At a press conference, John Keffer of Central Railroad of Indiana said: “As it stands right now, the railcar is no longer venting.”
Additionally, Miller explained the leak was likely caused by an additive stabilizer inside the railcar becoming ineffective, resulting in the contents of the railcar to vent out.
Steven Fagan, the director of Hamilton County Public Health, spoke about the danger to residents, saying: “The likelihood of any sort of irritation or toxicity is very low, especially anyone outside a half-mile radius, which for an abundance of caution, has been evacuated.”
Little Miami Joint Fire and Rescue District Chief Mike Siefke said no calls have been received reporting any injuries due to the leak.
Residents are still under evacuation orders, with the Hamilton Country 911 Center saying all displaced residents have been taken care of.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Federal per·son·nel are on their way to the scene to assist if needed.
{Matzav.com}