Authorities at the site of a train derailment in North Dakota, which involved hazardous materials and sparked a fire, took precautionary measures by issuing a shelter-in-place notice for local residents during the cleanup process. The notice was prompted by the detection of low levels of anhydrous ammonia in the air after a railcar began venting during its removal from the scene. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from the leak, and the shelter-in-place notice was lifted once air monitoring levels returned to normal.
The derailment occurred in a remote area in east-central North Dakota, where 29 cars of a CPKC train derailed, causing concern due to the presence of anhydrous ammonia, methanol, and plastic pellets on board. Despite the potential hazards, no injuries were reported from the incident, which took place in a marshy region surrounded by farmland.
Anhydrous ammonia is known to be a hazardous substance that can cause severe health effects when inhaled in high concentrations. Symptoms of exposure include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract, with more serious consequences such as lung damage or even death. Even at lower levels, exposure to ammonia can lead to coughing and irritation of the respiratory system.
The fire that resulted from the derailment was mostly extinguished by Sunday, with ongoing efforts to remove the remaining hazardous materials and derailed cars from the site. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Railroad Administration have been actively investigating the incident since Saturday to determine the root cause of the derailment.
