Approximately five liquid pounds of chlorine gas were released from the train car in New Iberia this morning. That's according to Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquelle Espinoza.
Espinoza says the car was picked up from McIntosh, Alabama. She adds the customer of the car certified the car was safe for transportation when the train picked up the car.
Espinoza says around 5 am Saturday, the train crew detected an odor coming from one of the cars. She says the crew didn't take any chances, and assessed the situation. Espinoza adds at that time, there was a small release of chlorine gas coming from the car. Crews tightened two bolts in the tank car, then inspected the car again. Espinoza says when the crew ensured the car was safe and no longer leaking chlorine gas, the train continued on its way. Espinoza adds the train was carrying mixed products, but chlorine gas leaked out of one of the cars on the train.
Espinoza adds that 99.997% of all hazardous shipments that move by rail get to its destination without any release.