Posted on 01/18/2006 5:08:18 PM PST by xcamel
Firefighters Respond To Train Accident In Lincoln
POSTED: 5:36 pm CST January 18, 2006 UPDATED: 7:02 pm CST January 18, 2006 LINCOLN, Ala. -- Reports indicate that two trains have collided in Lincoln, Ala.
NBC-13 news crews are on scene at this time.
Both trains are Norfolk Southern freight trains. The first train had pulled off to the side to allow another train to pass when the second train struck it from behind.
The Emergency Management Agency has asked residents in a one-mile radius of the accident to evacuate. Those unable to evacuate are asked to shelter in place, close all doors and windows, turn off ventilation, and go to an interior room with a battery-operated radio for more instructions.
"Do not try to walk out if you are blocked in, stay inside and call 911," said Talladaga County EMA Deputy Director Debra Gaither.
Gaither also said that some residents in Romar Villa are blocked in by the accident and can not get out.
The EMA reports that the manifest from one of the trains listed sodium cyanide as being onboard. The chemical is a white dust that can irritate the lungs, skin and eyes. It is flammable when it makes contact with water and produces a toxic gas when burned. The EMA is unsure if the fire is near the shipping containers containing the sodium cyanide.
Citizens Baptist Hospital, in Talladaga, has reported three injuries related to the accident so far. The three people injured were workers onboard the trains.
The Talladega County EMA has opened New Lincoln High School and Spring Street Recreation Center as shelters for those evacuating.
MSDA (material safety data sheet) required by govt. regs for sodium cyanide is here.
Speaking as a PhD in a chemistry-type area, this isn't something you want to screw around with.
If you can't just blow yourself up, crashing a train full of something hazardous is one way to get to your 72 Virginians pretty quick...
Full Disclosure: PURE SPECULATION
Prayers going up!
Given the location of the accident, I would prefer not to hear the cars have to pass over that area enroute to Wilsonville.
As a molecular biologist, I will second your concern. Cyanide is bad for your cytochrome C. You need to be prepared with IV drips of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulphate for on the spot treatment. Cyanide is not very forgiving.
Gee, and all this time I thought it screwed up your hemoglobin via pi backbonding.
Tell me more?
Recommended treatment is sodium nitrite at 10 to 20 mg/kg with 500 mg/kg sodium thiosulfate as needed. The treatment is directed at breaking the cyanide – cytochrome bond with the nitrite forming methemoglobin. Methemoglobin has a greater affinity for cyanide than does cytochrome oxidase, so it strips cyanide from the enzyme. The thiosulfate then reacts with the cyanide via the enzyme rhodanase forming thiocyanate which is readily excreted in the urine.
The bad news is that most emergency rooms won't recognize the problem fast enough, nor have the requisite materials on hand to treat you even if they do recognize it.
Cheers!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.