(The following article by S.K. Bardwell was posted on the Houston Chronicle website on April 2.)
HOUSTON — Hazardous material crews from the Houston Fire Department continue to work at a northeast Houston rail yard where a tank car is leaking anhydrous ammonia.
Officials say there is little danger to residents in surrounding areas because of the small amount of ammonia being leaked, and the absence of winds that would disperse the dangerous vapor.
The leak was discovered about 3:30 a.m., and the crews have worked in shifts through the morning trying to tap the leaking rail car.
The car is parked on tracks on the Settegast rail yard, a Union Pacific faility near the intersction of Ley Road and North Wayside.
Anhydrous ammonia is a skin, eye and respiratory system irritant, and can be very dangerous if inhaled, said officials.
Some apartment complexes and a pool are located within a half mile of the leaking tank car, but no evactuaions have been ordered.