Montana Chlorine Catastrophe - Update

[cmcr@ism.net (Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers)]

To: Activist, Legal and Medical Community who provided us with help &
assistance
From:   Montana CHEER (Tony, Darrell & Hope)
5 June '96
Re:             Montana Chlorine Catastrophe -- clippings packet


Enclosed is a complete packet of press stories about the April 11th Montana
Rail Link (MRL) derailment and chlorine release near remote Alberton,
Montana--one of the largest chlorine accidents ever.  It occurred just 10
miles from Stone Container's pulp mill, which uses one 90 ton tanker of
chlorine every week (CHEER formed to fight this mill's impacts).  The
chlorine came from, and was headed to, Georgia Pacific paper mills.  A
tanker of spent potassium cresylate (the K salt of cresol, a phenolic
desulfurizer, degreaser, and dioxin precursor) crashed into one of a pack
of four chlorine tankers, causing the release 59 tons of chlorine gas
(Cl2).  One transient died of chlorine gas inhalation, several interstate
motorists were left in intensive care, and over 350 were treated for
chlorine exposure.  Nearly 1,000 people were evacuated for 2-3 weeks.
Initial responders had no respirators or functioning chlorine sniffers.
Area pulmonologists stated that many victims came very close to death from
chlorine inhalation.

MRL failed to report the information required by law relating to the spill
that would help inform the victims.  Nearly all the cresol, some 15,000
gallons, was released. Exo-thermic mixing with chlorine formed high
concentrations of chlorophenols and an unknown amount of dioxins
(authorities are not ordering dioxin tests).  A third tanker released a
small amount of sodium chlorate (NaClO3), a solid form of chlorine
typically used to transport reactive chlorine dioxide.

Evacuated residents were told by MRL hired doctors that, except for those
with preexisting pulmonary problems, they could expect a rapid and complete
recovery from their chlorine exposure.  However Alberton residents who
returned home are still, today, reporting symptoms such as headaches, joint
aches, burning sensations, difficulty breathing and spitting or coughing up
blood. Several have again left their homes.  Only recently have medical
evaluations begun on evacuees to determine baseline health effects.
Problems also surrounded the disclosure of monitoring and cleanup
operations, such as the state giving conflicting accounts on the
disposition of the wastes.

MRL has diligently voided its initial promise to care for the victim's
total needs.  MRL is actively coercing evacuees into signing a blanket
release of future claims against MRL.  Evacuees organized and formed ACE,
Alberton Community Evacuees, to help the people impacted by this
catastrophy.  Several Missoula groups are aiding ACE and other evacuees.
ACE, Montana CHEER, Cold Mountain,Cold Rivers, Women's Voices for the Earth
and Chemical Injury Information Network-MT were instrumental in acquiring
the services of, and are working with, experienced and dedicated public
interest lawyers, and physicians with knowledge of the long-term effects of
acute chlorine exposure.  Together we have made solid progress in
addressing the range of problems cited in this letter.

We appreciate all the assistance we received from you in reaching this
point.  Stay in touch with us, and we will continue our work to eliminate
these threats.

Tony Tweedale              || "I'm not going to get involved in any
Bx 7941                    ||   of that peer-reviewed mumbo-jumbo."
Missoula, Montana 59807    ||      -Rep. John Doo<-->little (R-CA)
406-542-1709, fax 728-0867 ---------------------------------------
cmcr@ism.net (Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers @ Internet Services of MT)