On February 14, a truck carrying nitric acid crashed on the I-10 highway near Tucson, Arizona, spilling the hazardous substance and prompting evacuations in the area. Nitric acid is a highly corrosive substance that is often used in the manufacturing of fertilizers, dyes, and explosives.
The driver of the truck, who has not been publicly identified, was killed in the accident. A shelter-in-place order was briefly instituted for those within one mile of the incident, but it was lifted late Tuesday. A separate evacuation order will remain in place until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
This incident comes on the heels of a train derailment in Ohio that spilled toxic chemicals into the environment, triggering evacuations and causing widespread concern about the safety of local residents. As we reported earlier, the train carrying hazardous cargo derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and isobutylene.
The proximity of these two incidents begs the question: are we under attack, or is this simply a coincidence? While authorities are investigating both incidents, there is no official evidence presented at this time to suggest that they are related.
The truck crash in Arizona is a reminder of the importance of safe transportation and handling of hazardous materials. Are there enough laws in place to keep the public safe from chemicals and their transport? It also underscores the need for proper notification and evacuation procedures in the event of a spill or accident.
As the investigation into these incidents continues, it is important for authorities to be transparent about their findings and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the public.
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