At approximately 1730 on 8 May 2008, the Emergency Planning and Response Branch Phone Duty Officer received a National Response Center (NRC) report indicating a release of sodium chlorate (UN 1495) from a derailed train car at the PanAm rail yard in Lawrence, MA.
The Phone Duty Officer spoke with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)emergency responder. According to MassDEP an approximately 2000ft by up to ten foot wide line of the sodium chlorate powder had been released from the damaged railcar as it travelled along the track inside the rail yard and stopped just after crossing Andover Street. MassDEP further reported that PanAm had hired Enpro Services to perform an assessment and cleanup. At the time of the call, there were no evacuations or injuries; however, the responder reported that some nearby residences may be evacuated shortly as a precaution.
After telephone coordination with MassDEP, the Phone Duty Officer dispatched OSC Wainberg to the incident at approximately 1850.
*Sodium chlorate is a white, crystalline solid. It is often utilized to manufacture dyes and explosives, in paper pulp processing, leather processing, and as a herbicide. Sodium chlorate can cause eye and skin irritation or burns. Breathing sodium chlorate can irritate the nose and throat. High levels can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Sodium chlorate is a strong oxidizer and may ignite combustibles (e.g. wood, paper, oil).
