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Authorities concerned about potential explosions following evacuations


A dangerous chemical leak at a railyard near Cincinnati on Tuesday forced nearby schools and residents to evacuate due to the potential threat of an explosion. The leak involved a railcar leaking styrene, a flammable gas that can be fatal if inhaled and is known to be a probable human carcinogen. Several agencies, including the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit, responded to the scene to address the leak.

Residents were urged to leave their homes, and a shelter was opened for those affected. Emergency responders, including personnel from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Ohio EPA, were on site to assist. Air monitoring for styrene began to determine the appropriate evacuation and shelter-in-place orders.

In a briefing on Tuesday night, officials expressed concerns about a potential explosion, although efforts were made to lower the car’s temperature to mitigate the risk. The evacuation radius was initially half a mile but might be adjusted based on air monitoring results.

In 2005, a similar incident involving a styrene leak occurred in Cincinnati, resulting in evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for residents. Hazmat teams were ultimately able to contain the leak after two days.

Residents affected by the recent leak described the evacuation process, including warnings from police officers and the strong smell of gasoline in the air. Some residents were unable to return home due to road closures. The nearby Three Rivers Local School District closed on Wednesday in response to the incident.

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www.usatoday.com

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