A Peoria chemical spill that prompted an evacuation has been traced to a rail car with a loose valve.
Peoria Chemical Spill Stops Traffic
The Peoria chemical spill occurred on January 25, 2022. At approximately 12:09 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of a significant fluid leak near the train tracks along Adams Street, between Oregon Street and Griswold Street, in Peoria, IL. The fluid was later identified as methyl chloride, a chemical that is highly explosive and flammable in vapor form.
The Peoria Fire Department Hazmat Team traced the source of the leak to a loose valve in a rail car. Officials ordered the immediate evacuation of all homes and businesses within a two-block radius of the rail car and initiated containment protocols based upon the Emergency Response Guidance from the United States Department of Transportation. Authorities also shut down all road and rail traffic in the area for several hours to allow for more efficient cleanup.
A total of 21 firefighters were present at the scene of the Peoria chemical spill. Additionally, an ambulance was called to provide medical assistance if needed, while a CityLink bus served as a temporary shelter from the extreme temperatures in which onsite personnel were working.
Fire officials initially reported that there were no injuries from this incident. It is unknown whether any personal injury attorneys have since filed suit on behalf of victims of chemical exposure residing in the surrounding area.
Chemical Exposure Harms Thousands Per Year
Whether inhaled, ingested, or simply touched, toxic chemicals can inflict serious bodily harm. Chemical exposure may cause burns, vision loss, damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and lungs, and potentially terminal illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
There are stringent state and federal regulations in place governing the use and handling of dangerous chemicals. Nevertheless, thousands of Americans continue to suffer the effects of chemical exposure each year, both inside and outside of the workplace. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 10 percent of all workers who die of occupational illnesses or injuries do so as a result of chemical exposure – an estimated 60,000 deaths annually. Additionally, approximately 860,000 illnesses per year are linked to chemical exposure on the job.
Fighting for Victims of Chemical Exposure
Despite these alarming figures, people who have suffered the negative effects of chemical exposure may find it challenging to obtain fair compensation. It can require extensive familiarity with the underlying science in order to properly identify the source of an illness or injury as well as those who may have been responsible for a dangerous spill or leak. For this reason, chemical exposure victims might find that they could benefit from seeking out the counsel of the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
With more than $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, GWC is one of the leading Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. Our personal injury attorneys have the experience, the determination, the resources, and the reputation necessary to help get you and your family the justice you deserve.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a dedicated personal injury attorney, contact GWC today. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
<< BACK TO BLOG POSTS