(The Associated Press circulated the following article on November 8.)
BOONE, Iowa — A train carrying phosphoric acid leaked the dangerous substance as it traveled across Iowa over the weekend, Des Moines fire officials said.
The leak was discovered Saturday night when a Union Pacific rail car carrying the acid stopped in Council Bluffs and about 1,000 gallons of the acid pooled on the ground, said officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The acid was spilled in at least 11 counties from Linn County to Pottawattamie County.
Depending on the speed of the train, the spill could have ranged from a trickle to a wide spray along the right of way, said Kathy Lee, of the DNR.
The amount of acid on the ground varied with the speed of the train, but in some areas was up to .25-inch thick.
The amount of acid that was spilled was unknown, but the railcar carried nearly 13,000 gallons of the acid.
City and county officials checked railroad crossings in town along the tracks to check for acid spills. Where necessary, officials have applied sand, baking soda or some other material to neutralize the acid.
Railroad crews also were checking the rail lines and a rail car was being sent along the route with a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize the acid.
Hazmat teams responded to spills in the cities of Boone and Marshalltown early Sunday morning, said Brian O’Keefe, a spokesman for the Des Moines Fire Department.
He said crews worked to neutralize the clear, syrupy acid, which is corrosive and causes severe irritation and burns to areas of contact, and is harmful if swallowed or inhaled.
“There have been no reports or injuries or damages, but we want people to know what happened so they can take precautions,” Lee said.
Anyone who came in contact with the acid should flush the skin or eyes with water immediately. If clothing is affected, it should be removed immediately, Lee said.
Hunters along the route may have come in contact with the acid and any dogs used in hunting should be bathed as a precaution.
Any cars that may have driven through the spill should be washed to avoid corrosion.
Phosphoric acid is often combined with anhydrous ammonia to make fertilizer.