Emergency crews are responding to a freight train derailment and hazardous material spill in southern New Jersey. (Image source: WPVI-TV)
PAULSBORO, N.J. (AP) — People in three southern New Jersey towns were told Friday to stay inside after a freight train derailed and several tanker cars carrying hazardous materials toppled from a bridge and into a creek.
Emergency management officials issued the advisory to residents of Paulsboro, West Deptford and East Greenwich Township as a precaution.
WPVI-TV
At least one tanker car may contain vinyl chloride, Gloucester County Emergency Management director J. Thomas Butts told WPVI-TV.
TV helicopter footage showed at least two tankers in Mantua Creek and one hanging over a trestle, part of which is seemingly collapsed. The creek empties into the Delaware River just across from Philadelphia International Airport.
The Environmental Protection Agency said short-term exposure to high levels of vinyl chloride can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
A spokesman for the state Environmental Protection Department says officials are trying to determine what the cars were carrying.
The Gloucester County Times says 18 people are reported to be having difficulty breathing.
It’s not clear what caused the derailment.
Calls to Conrail have not been returned.
This post has been updated.
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cobbcountyguy
Nov. 30, 2012 at 6:38pmMaybe Gov. Christie and Obummer can do another hand n hand stroll along the moonlit beach.
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ghemminger
Nov. 30, 2012 at 4:26pmhad to laugh….a story about hazardous waste being spilled in New Jersey….that’s the pot calling the kettle black….
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sandtown
Nov. 30, 2012 at 2:20pmIt’s South Jersey, there is a difference. I live in East Greenwich which neighbors Paulsboro and half of my town is all farming. Paulsboro, however, is still a dump.
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tj1961
Nov. 30, 2012 at 12:29pmThis looks like a job for The Toxic Avenger!!!
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Maji
Nov. 30, 2012 at 12:43pmIf they meant Jersey contaminated the train,
now I believe that.
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sligresda
Nov. 30, 2012 at 11:47amwow! jeresy must have really (p)issed God off.
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raderby
Nov. 30, 2012 at 11:35amanother bonus for you, FB Christie.
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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Nov. 30, 2012 at 10:47amThe EPA has just declared that the water at this sight is safe to drink and use. Fishing and swimming are a go. Enjoy.
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Vickie Dhaene
Nov. 30, 2012 at 10:07amWas this a deliberate derailment? How does a train running the same route all these years just derail?
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IndyGuy
Nov. 30, 2012 at 10:11amOld trestle probably gave way, probably due to lack of maintenance or replacement…
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sligresda
Nov. 30, 2012 at 11:49amit does happen. happened here in stl with a coal train on bnsf tracks over a major throughfare.
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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Nov. 30, 2012 at 9:37amHopefully Christie is very thirsty.
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IndyGuy
Nov. 30, 2012 at 9:34amWhy is this hazardous form of transportation(Owned by Warren Buffet)not shut down by Obama’s EPA???
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The_Jerk
Nov. 30, 2012 at 9:41am“A spokesman for the state Environmental Protection Department says officials are trying to determine what the cars were carrying.”
It was Chris Christie, and they hit a turn.
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Dr Vel
Dec. 1, 2012 at 11:33am“The Environmental Protection Agency said short-term exposure to high levels of vinyl chloride can cause dizziness and drowsiness.”
Criminal outfit to claim they protect the people and issue this statement. I suggest anyone exposed read this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_chloride
“The hepatotoxicity of vinyl chloride has long been established since the 1930s when the PVC industry was just in its infant stages. In the very first study about the dangers of vinyl chloride, published by Patty in 1930, it was disclosed that exposure of test animals to just a single short-term high dose of vinyl chloride caused liver damage”
“vinyl chloride caused liver injury for short-term exposures; but almost nothing was known about its long-term effects”
“In light of the finding of liver damage in rats from just 4-10 ppm of vinyl chloride exposure”
“In 1972, Maltoni, another Italian researcher for the European vinyl chloride industry, found liver tumors (including angiosarcoma) from vinyl chloride exposures as low as 250 ppm for four hours a day”
Makes one wonder who paid off the EPA to make a public statement implying being drowsy is the only thing they need to worry about. Innocent citizens will therefore never know they should be tested for liver cancer in time to be saved from it becoming worse. An agency who cared for the public would give them every fact required so that an informed public could take steps for their self preservation.
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JACKTHETOAD
Nov. 30, 2012 at 9:27amHow can you tell? It’s Jersey.
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1RealAmerican
Nov. 30, 2012 at 9:42amBeen to Jersey in the Army – you are right on the money…….
Just sayin……..
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thegreatcarnac
Nov. 30, 2012 at 12:04pmYou are right…it’s Jersey,….who will notice?
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