VIBS 222: Train Derailments

What created the CALIFORNIA EPA?

a train spill in Dunsmuir, CA

What is one part per MILLION?

1 mg/L

What is one part per BILLION?

1 ug/L

What is one part per TRILLION?

1 ng/L

What was the SACRAMENTO RIVER SPILL? (1991)

chemical spill of 19,000 gallons of metam sodium

What was the IMPACT of the Sacramento Spill?

hundreds of thousands of dead fish

45 miles of river was scoured of life

What is METAM SODIUM?

a soil fumigant

toxic towards nematodes, fungi, and weed seeds

How can metam sodium affect the SKIN?

contact dermatitis

What is the LD50 of metam sodium?

870 ppm

What are the metabolic BYPRODUCTS of metam sodium?

MITC

carbon disulfide

What is the LD50 of MITC?

97 ppm

What ORGANS do MITC affect?

bladder

kidney

liver

What is a LACHRYMATOR?

a substance that irritates the eyes and causes tears to flow

WHERE did the Nemadji River Train Derailment take place?

superior, wisconsin

What was the NEMADJI train derailment?

liquid benzene and toluene spilled into the river (22,000 gallons)

What was the IMPACT of the Nemadji train derailment?

fumes led to more than 80,000 residents evacuating

What are some CHARACTERISTICS of benzene?

clear

flammable

hazy cloud as gas

How were ANIMALS affected by the Nemadji train derailment?

thousands of fish were killed: carp, shiners, minnows, etc.

What was the MINOT train derailment? (2002)

31/112 railcars derailed

5 tanks carrying anhydrous ammonia ruptured

What was the EFFECTS of the Minot train derailment?

poisonous gas cloud

1 death, 11 serious injuries, over 320 minor injuries