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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 16, 2002

Train Derails, Releases Sulfuric Acid Gas In US

About 100 homes were evacuated Sunday after a train derailed in a residential area of southwest Knox County, releasing plumes of sulfuric acid gas.


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About 100 homes were evacuated Sunday after a train derailed in a residential area of southwest Knox County, releasing plumes of sulfuric acid gas.

No serious injuries were reported, but homes in a 1.3-mile radius had to be evacuated, said Alan Lawson, deputy director of the Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency.

Residents mostly left on their own, but some who needed assistance received it.

The train traveling on a Norfolk Southern railway derailed about 11:30 a.m. EDT near Turkey Creek Road.

Lt. Jeff Devlin of the Metro Special Hazards Team said nine of about 25 cars derailed, causing one car with about 93,000 pounds of sulfuric acid to rupture.

Sulfuric acid is transported as a liquid, but becomes a gas upon release.

The gas continued to escape from the ruptured tank car Sunday afternoon. Devlin said crews are preparing to neutralize it with a base substance, but they first want to determine what other chemicals are on the train and where.

Devlin said some people exposed to the vapors complained of minor skin and lung irritation. A few were taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.

Firefighters, emergency management crews, the sheriff's department, the Red Cross and other agencies are assisting with the evacuation and cleanup.




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