Sunday, March 22, 2015

7,000 GALLONS OF THE POSSIBLE HUMAN CARCINOGEN DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE LEAKED IN BNSF RAILWAY TRAIN DERAILMENT IN VALLEY MILLS, TEXAS









MARCH 22, 2015

VALLEY MILLS, TEXAS (AP)

Authorities say about a dozen train cars derailed in Valley Mills, Central Texas, and an industrial solvent leaked from one tanker.  Valley Mills is about 25 miles northwest of Waco.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Trooper D.L. Wilson said no injuries or fires were reported in the Saturday evening accident near Valley Mills, but that about four homes were evacuated as a precaution. Residents returned home around 9 p.m.

Wilson said they initially thought methanol was leaking, but later discovered it was dimethylformamide, which if inhaled can cause nausea and vomiting.

BNSF Railway spokesman Joe Faust says about 7,000 gallons of the flammable liquid spilled but it has been contained and poses no threat. He says the cleanup should be finished by late Sunday night.

The cause of the derailment is unclear.  The pipe the train was carrying appeared to be lose and it could have contributed to the derailment.

Emergency overview for dimethylformamide
Appearance: liquid,, clear
Warning! Combustible liquid and vapor.
May be harmful if Inhaled or swallowed.
Causes eye irritation.
Harmful if Absorbed through the skin.
Prolonged or repeated contact may dry the skin and cause irritation and burns.

Carcinogenicity
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified dimethylformamide as a possible human carcinogen (group 2B) based, in part, on information from two epidemiological studies. One study indicated a possible excess of testicular cancer among a cluster of aircraft mechanics who used DMF without wearing protective equipment. The second study, conducted at a Dupont plant in 1986, indicated a possible excess of mouth, throat, and skin cancer. A follow-up study was initiated by Dupont on an average exposed population of 8700 people per year over 30 years.  Results of that study showed no excess of cancers with exposure to DMF. This study had not been published at the time of the IARC classification.