MAY 19, 2015
ADDIS, LA (WAFB)
Four chemical tankers have derailed at the interchange on
Peter Messina Road in Addis. Officials
say the tankers are not leaking. The chemicals on the train are sodium
hydroxide, propylene oxide, propylene dichloride, and the fourth car nitrogen
blanket purge.
"We’re investigating and we know two of the cars have
caustic agents and two of the cars have flammable chemicals in them," said
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Gregory Langley. "We're in
the process of responding and the cars are not leaking, so there's no immediate
threat of anything right now."
Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an
inorganic compound that is very corrosive.
Propylene oxide is an organic compound used for the
production of polyether polyols for use in making polyurethane plastics.
Propylene dichloride is an organic compound classified as a
chlorocarbon. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. it is
obtained as a byproduct of the production of epichlorohydrin, which is produced
on a large scale.
The derailment occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The
Addis Police Department is investigating, along with the assistance of the West
Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.
Addis Police Chief Ricky Anderson says there is no threat to
the public, unless of course the tankers explode.