GoodFuels

Ethanol not worst thing train could have been carrying when derailed

While Rockford, Illinois’s train derailment on Friday was indeed tragic, could have been a lot worse, ethanol safety experts said today in an interview with the Rockford Register Star.

“It’s probably the least of a lot of evils we could have from a train derailment,” said David White, founder of firefighter education group Industrial Fire World. “If you’d had acid on the train, it would have been much worse. If it had been chlorine, it would have been much worse. Ethanol’s not nearly the worst thing that could have been on that train.”

Ethanol burns relatively cleanly compared with other liquids, such as chlorine or even diesel fuel, he said. In most circumstances, the best thing to do in an event like Friday’s derailment and fire is let the ethanol burn itself out.

So it seems that ethanol’s environmentally friendlier, cleaner burning reputation can be beneficial in more ways than one.

While accidents and fires of any kind can and do occur and can’t be avoided, safe handling of all flammable substances must be a top priority for those that come in contact with such material.

The Renewable Fuels Association has a great resource on their website for safety information, including training manuals for first responders, and instructional videos. Another great resource is the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) website.

The ethanol industry is deeply invested in the safe transport and delivery of their product, that’s for sure. Safety measures are taken at every opportunity.

And while the precise dynamics of the crash remain under investigation, the tanker cars that transport ethanol and other flammable liquids have safety measures in place specifically to reduce the chance of a leak or ignition, said Tom White, spokesman for the Association of American Railroads, of which Canadian National Railways, which operated the train and owns the tracks involved in Friday’s crash, is a member.

Tragic accidents can’t be prevented, of course, but the likelihood of an accident occurring can be diminished. Be careful out there.

Photo not from actual incident. Image provided by foreversouls.