(The Associated Press circulated the following story on October 29.)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Most of the 2,000 people forced to evacuate after a 22,000-gallon railroad tanker leaked chemicals into a creek and sewer system were permitted to return home Friday.
The leak in Huntington, a small city near the Ohio border, prompted initial fears that the concentrated vapors could explode. By mid-Friday morning, emergency crews had removed about 42,000 gallons of contaminated material and were no longer concerned about an explosion.
At least 80 percent of the affected area had tested free of benzene, a chemical contained in the spilled oil that can cause dizziness, drowsiness and unconsciousness when inhaled, said Rudy Raynes of the state’s Regional Response Team.
Air quality levels in at least two areas – the site of the spill and a spot along the creek where crews were vacuuming up sludge – had not yet been deemed safe, Raynes said.
There was no immediate word on when the rest of the homes could be reoccupied.
”I’m sure they’re anxious and would love to be back in their homes, but for the most part they’re very understanding,” said Huntington Deputy Fire Chief Bret Woodall.
The coal tar light oil spilled as workers at TechSol Chemical Co. attempted to transfer it from the Marathon Ashland Petroleum-leased tanker into trucks. One of the tanker’s valves was apparently defective, a TechSol employee said.