At 1830 hours on August 28, 2005, the Cincinnati Fire Department responded to a styrene release from a rail car near Lunken Airport in Cincinnati. At approximately 2100 hours, the Ohio-Indiana Railroad reported the release to the National Response Center.
The styrene release continued on August 29, 2005. U.S. EPA OSC Renninger and START continued to provide on-scene assisting with air monitoring. U.S. EPA, CTEH (contractor for Westlake Chemical), and the Cincinnati Chemical Air Monitoring Team are currently conducting air monitoring. The Cincinnati Fire Department has issued a 1 mile radius evacuation around the styrene release (Wilmer Ave). The Cincinnati Fire Department continues to apply water to the rail car to cool the car.
Operations Briefings are being conducted on a 90 minute interval at the Incident Command Post.
As of August 30, 2005 (1500 hours), two temperature monitors were installed on the railcar. Temperature readings were 230-270 degrees. Additionally, water lines were attached to the railcar to attempt to cool the car. Air monitoring continues by U.S. EPA, Cincinnati CAM Team, and CTEH (West Lake Chemical contractor). A 1 mile radius evacuation remains in place.
As of August 31, 2005. U.S. EPA OSC Renninger and START have completed air monitoring activities due to decreased venting from rail car. CTEH (contractor for Westlake Chemical) and the Cincinnati Chemical Air Monitoring Team continue to conduct air monitoring as residents return home. The Cincinnati Fire Department has maintained an evacation area of 100 yards from the styrene railcar (Wilmer Ave). Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes as of 0930 on August 31, 2005. The Cincinnati Fire Department continues to apply water to the rail car to cool the car. Temperature reading at 0900 were 105-130 degrees. Periodic measurement of railcar temperature will continue to be collected.
Between September 1-5, 2005, the rail car was sampled, new gasket and relief valve installed, and the car was removed from the site.
