***********EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE***********
At approximately 9:00 AM CST December 2, 2005, a two vehicle collision occurred involving a trailer containing fuming sulfuric acid and a second vehicle containing hazardous waste chemicals from local industry in a closed box trailer loaded with 55-gallon drums collided. One of the 55-gallon containers ruptures and starts leaking reacting with the fuming sulfuric acid at the local inbound Mexican Customs lane in Matamoros, Tamaulipas Mexico across from Brownsville, Texas. A chemical cloud of Sulfur Trioxide (SO3) is dispersed and carried by prevailing southeastern wind towards the City of Brownsville, Texas in the United States.
Inhalation of pure or highly concentrated SO3 can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs.
At approximately 12 PM CST the EPA Region 6 Duty Officer was notified by the US National Response Center (NRC) of a hazardous materials spill along the US / Mexico border in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas Mexico across the US sister city of Brownsville, TX.
Local Hazardous Materials first responders from Brownsville, Texas have been requested for assistance by the neighboring sister city of Matamoros.
Upon notification by Mexican federal authorities of a hazardous materials spill to the US National Response Center; EPA Regional representatives activate the US / Mexico Joint Contingency Plan (JCP) and began coordination efforts between all local, state, and federal international partners.
Participate in exercise Hot Wash and prepare comments on lessons learned report.
Exercise goal for EPA was to test international Federal to Federal notification of a hazardous materials spill; quickly and efficiently.
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