APRIL 21, 2015
HOUSTON, TEXAS
An 18 wheeler started leaking Tuesday afternoon which caused
emergency crews to shut down all lanes of the Southwest Freeway for hours.
The spill happened on 59 South in the area of Bellaire
Boulevard around 5 p.m.
Motorists on the freeway alerted the driver of the truck
that something was leaking out of the back. Firefighters were called to the
scene and discovered three 55 gallon drums were damaged.
All three drums had a corrosive and flammable liquid in
them. Firefighters believe the liquid is trimethylbenzene.
Originally two lanes were open but Hazmat crews decided it
would be better to shut down all lanes which led to a major traffic headache
for drivers.
About 25 gallons in all spilled onto the highway.
Emergency crews had to wait on assistance from the trucking
company, Saia, Inc., to help offload all the product from one truck to the one
next to it.
Saia is based out of Johns Creek, GA. It's unclear where the
shipment of drums was going.
Trimethyl Benzene is a colorless liquid with a distinct
odor. It is used in making dyes, pharmaceuticals and antioxidants, and as a solvent.
HAZARD SUMMARY
Trimethyl Benzene can affect you when breathed in.
Contact can irritate the skin and eyes.
Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass
out.
Repeated exposure can cause headaches, and cause you to feel
nervous, tense, tired and sleepy.
Trimethyl Benzene may cause changes in the blood cells and
affect the blood’s clotting ability.
Trimethyl Benzene can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure
may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.