(The Associated Press circulated the following story on June 18.)
FLORENCE, Ala. — Three streets were closed Friday by a toxic chemical spill on a railroad track serving the Corus Tuscaloosa steel plant.
The spill is at least two miles long and could extend as many as 10 miles, said Lt. Travis Parker of Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue.
The material does not present an airborne risk to people in the area, but would be an extreme irritant if came into contact with skin. If anyone touches the material, they should flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes, he said.
A man reported seeing the rust-colored, unidentified powdered corrosive agent at or around the Greensboro Avenue Amtrak station at approximately 8:01 a.m., Parker said.
The corrosive material leaked or escaped in some way from a hopper-style train car, Parker said.
Parker said the railroad emergency crews and cleanup contractor U.S. Environmental Service were on the scene, along with federal officials.