Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 33
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
Chlorine from Train Accident (Graniteville,
SC; Jan 6, 2005 02:40)
http:// www.hazmatteam.com
Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats
33
Much more recently, this train derailment of freight cars containing chlorine
demonstrates current vulnerabilities and potential threats from this compound. In this
2005 incident, as the result of an improperly-aligned switch, a Norfolk Southern freight
train was diverted onto a track, striking a parked train. One of three 90 ton chlorine
tankers ruptured, releasing gas for ¼ to ½ mile in all directions (light wind).
Note that this accident, like so many industrial accidents, occurred in the middle of the
night. While that may hinder communications and response because of staffing and the
presence of fewer bystanders, this timing may also decrease casualties because of
fewer people being in –or traveling through – the area. The magnitude of the event was
also minimized both by single tank rupture and the cooling of contents by rapid
expansion.
The picture shows an aerial view of the crash scene involving a road, a parking lot and
power lines.
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