(The following report appeared at FoxToledo.com on October 2, 2009.)
LAKE TOWNSHIP, Ohio —A potentially hazardous situation was averted Thursday morning after Lake and Perrysburg township hazmat crews contained a possible ammonia leak from a train tanker car at the CSX Stanley Yard.
A small amount of anhydrous ammonia, a gas used in farm fertilizer, was quickly contained after it was first reported at around 10 a.m.
The rail yard sits along East Broadway and Walbridge Road underneath State Rt. 795.
Even though the situation seemed under control, firefighters knew about the safety risks. An evacuation of the area was not necessary, even though there was a housing development sits some 200 yards from the rail yard. There were no reported injuries.
Anhydrous ammonia is a compound formed by the combination of two gaseous elements, nitrogen and hydrogen. Exposure can be harmful if it comes in contact the skin and eyes or if it is inhaled or swallowed.
The tanker in question wasn’t full of ammonia, but did have some residual chemicals inside.
Because of possible health issues for people who could breathe it in, including burning eyes, nose, and throat and, in the worst case scenario, death, rail crews took care of the problem immediately.
“As soon as they discovered the leak, they quickly secured it,” said Lt. Matt Kamann, Lake Township Fire Department. “They didn’t get any report of smell in throughout the yard or in neighboring facilities.”
Shortly before noon, a construction company that works on CSX rail cars gave the all clear, saying some leaky valves and plugs had been fixed. Firefighters made sure there wasn’t any more of a threat.
Hazmat and construction crews took precautions even though it didn’t seem to be that big of a deal. Emergency crews, though, have to treat all situations like a possible disaster.
“Hazmat incidents take time and you don’t rush into a hazmat incident,” Lt. Kamann said. “You get a game plan first and go from there.”
The tanker car in question was put back into service.