Louisiana misconceptions about environmental dangers of sulphur

March 29, 2009 by Walter Schneider.

Today I found a March 7, 2009 article about a train derailment in Louisiana.  It is a prime example of serious misconceptions about the environmental dangers of sulphur.

The article is mostly comprised of statements that describe unreasonable concerns or actions based on misconceptions about the dangers of a sulphur spill.  It is not that sulphur, especially in liquid form, doesn’t pose dangers, but the reactions described in connection with the spill of liquid sulphur in the train derailment in Louisiana are excessive and irrational.  Those reactions are about as irrational as is the decision by someone who fears accidents and as a result of that decides to remain in bed, so as not to have to face the dangers of life — while the reality of that is that most people die in bed.

Those comments do not mean that sulphur spills do not pollute the environment.  They do, but unless spilled sulphur contains a large portion of hydrogen-suphide gas (that is deadly in very small concentrations), or unless it became ignited and produces sulphur-dioxide gas (also deadly in very small concentrations), spilled sulphur does not pose much of an immediate and imminent danger to anyone.

In the case of the derailment at Plaquemine, Louisiana,

1. Emergency responders from the Department of Environmental Quality continue to take air and water samples at the site of a train derailment at the Bayou Plaquemine bridge in Plaquemine. Air monitors have been stationed at several areas around the derailment and there have been no readings to indicate any issues with air quality. (Note by folc.ca: It was a good thing that air quality was being measured when the sulphur began to flowfrom the leaking rail car into the bayou, but if there were no readings of hydrogen sulfide tobegin with, those readings will not very likely show up any time later.)
2. DEQ responders continue to take water samples at various points along the bayou. Real-time water samples and field analysis show no ill effects to the environment as a result of the incident at this time. However, DEQ will take additional water samples for further analysis. (Note by folc.ca: There is no way to tell from that what a field analysis would be, but to take water samples right now was and is a waste of time and effort, not unless the sulphur that flowed into the bayou would be left to deteriorate there without any further action.  If that is done, then the water in the bayou will without a doubt turn acidic over time.)
3. The department also brought in its Mobile Air Monitoring Laboratory to take additional samples. The MAML has the capability to take real-time samples as well as take readings from air canisters used at the site. The emergency responders are headquartered at the DEQ Mobile Command Center which has been deployed for this incident. (Note by folc.ca: It does not matter how or by whom air samples are taken in this case, a waste of time remains a waste of time.)
4. Early Saturday morning, five railcars derailed near the bayou. One railcar, containing molten sulfur, is leaking. The molten sulfur is leaking into the bayou where is solidifies and sinks. Presently, releases to the environment and any potential impacts are being contained at the site of the accident. There is little flow in the bayou and cleanup contractors have set out booms. (Note by folc.ca: Of course the molten sulphur solidifies and sinks when it comes into contact with the water.  It is heavier than water and will therefore not float, for which reason there is nothing to catch by the booms set up by the clean-up contractors (which contractors are nevertheless being paid handsomely for their useless efforts), but the sulphur will of course also be cooled down to the water temperature and therefore solidify.)
5. A Best Western hotel in Plaquemine has been evacuated. There is a limited shelter-in-place for residents near the scene of the derailment. Louisiana Highway 1 is closed near the bridge over Bayou Plaquemine. (Note by folc.ca: Those measures are overkill. Unles the escaped sulphur would have begun to burn, none of those measures were required.)
6. LDEQ, GOSHEP, Louisiana State Police, Iberville Fire Department, Plaquemine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana National Guard, Union Pacific Railroad, Dow Emergency Services and Plaquemine Parish OEP are all currently at the incident site. (Note by folc.ca: What did they all do there, other than stare, talk and twiddle their thumbs?)
7. The State Police, National Guard and local law enforcement are directing traffic to alternate routes around Plaquemine. (Note by folc.ca: Why? There was no reason for doing so, unless the liquid sulphur was covering the road.)

Why was all of that done?  Was it to put on a show, to hide something, or do the officials in Louisiana truly not know any better?  What would they do if there would ever be a real emergency involving a sulphur fire?

Posted in Derailments, Community & Industry, Emission Incidents & Issues | Print | No Comments »