Stoughton Police Sgt. James Sander died early Tuesday morning while responding to a train derailment and chemical spill scene two miles north of Stoughton.
The train derailment occurred late Monday night just after the intersection with County Highway DD, about 15 miles outside of Madison. Eight tankers carrying a harmful chemical tipped over and some began leaking. The cause of the derailment remains unknown. Fourteen tankers are carrying the chemical anhydrous ammonia, which is extremely toxic to people, aquatic animals and classified as “dangerous for the environment” but the Environmental Protection Agency. Two workers on the train also died in conjunction to the train derailment.
Police Sgt. Sander, 38, of the Stoughton Police Department …show more content…
It requires storage in specially designed equipment and handling by trained workers in protective gear. When in contact with moisture, anhydrous ammonia causes rapid dehydration and that can lead to severe burns. Body tissues that contain a high percentage of water, such as the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, are especially susceptible to burns.
The Dane County and City of Madison Hazardous Materials teams are working towards stopping the leaks. Estimates of the initial ammonia release indicates that the anhydrous ammonia parts per million over of 10,000 ppm. According to the University of Wisconsin-Extension, an exposure of 5,000 ppm causes suffocation within minutes. Air tests within the Stoughton limits are now under 50 ppm.
All residences or businesses in the area evacuated to Stoughton High School immediately after the accident occurred, according to Mr. McBrush.
Sarah Magnus, who lives about 0.25 miles away from the scene, is worried that the leak hasn’t stopped yet, especially because of the parks and water in the area and because of how often her children play outside.
“They told us it wasn’t safe, we grabbed the kids and hustled to the shelter they set up at the high school. It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been through.” Said Ms.
The train derailment occurred late Monday night just after the intersection with County Highway DD, about 15 miles outside of Madison. Eight tankers carrying a harmful chemical tipped over and some began leaking. The cause of the derailment remains unknown. Fourteen tankers are carrying the chemical anhydrous ammonia, which is extremely toxic to people, aquatic animals and classified as “dangerous for the environment” but the Environmental Protection Agency. Two workers on the train also died in conjunction to the train derailment.
Police Sgt. Sander, 38, of the Stoughton Police Department …show more content…
It requires storage in specially designed equipment and handling by trained workers in protective gear. When in contact with moisture, anhydrous ammonia causes rapid dehydration and that can lead to severe burns. Body tissues that contain a high percentage of water, such as the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, are especially susceptible to burns.
The Dane County and City of Madison Hazardous Materials teams are working towards stopping the leaks. Estimates of the initial ammonia release indicates that the anhydrous ammonia parts per million over of 10,000 ppm. According to the University of Wisconsin-Extension, an exposure of 5,000 ppm causes suffocation within minutes. Air tests within the Stoughton limits are now under 50 ppm.
All residences or businesses in the area evacuated to Stoughton High School immediately after the accident occurred, according to Mr. McBrush.
Sarah Magnus, who lives about 0.25 miles away from the scene, is worried that the leak hasn’t stopped yet, especially because of the parks and water in the area and because of how often her children play outside.
“They told us it wasn’t safe, we grabbed the kids and hustled to the shelter they set up at the high school. It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been through.” Said Ms.