Document OzMKJODa4nRp0oLGj1q9vg21

uS',s A) PRESS y Alt fttip 1/ ,,, w $ w/H r1 - ifflv&r COMPANY (OpUnit or Corporate): MCI SUBJECT: Chemical car derailment at Sturgeon, Mo. REPORTER & MEDIA: Ed Shafer, AP; Dave Punt, KWIX; Curtis Peck, Mexico Ledger; Howard Mitchell, KFRU, TIME & DATE: January 11, 1979 et al QUESTION & RESPONSE: The derailment of a Norfolk & Western train at Sturgeon, `Mo., caused a leak in a tankcar of 20,000 gallons of an industrial chemical en route from Monsanto's plant at Sauget, 111., to Tacoma, Wash. An evacuation of residents v;as ordered this morning as a precautionary measure. The railroad has experts on the scene to direct the cleanup. A team of specialists from Monsanto is on the scene to advise. X News Bureau YvvVV'i X J .T . Nolan A \ -) X J .E . McKee j D. R. Bishop W. J. McCarville W. R. Mulhall J. F. Hussey-Washington, D.C. S. Pickard-Wnshington, D.C. New York Public Relations fiiccolc Pnlllir RnlntirmS _X-- MAP PR MCI PR MIC PR JL _ MPR PR MTCPR J L _ INT'L PR F. E. Reese E. N. Brasfield M. Dmytryszyn The product is described as an intermediate chemical used as an ingredient in wood preservatives. It is called chlorinated carbolic acid (ortho jlorophenol-crude).. It is a non-explosive corrosive liquid that can uLirn. It is irritating to the eyes and respiratory system, is toxic, and can burn* the skin on contact. {) Vy SOURCE OF ANSWER Howard Curtis, Charlie Farley, Joe Metcalf HANDLED BY: John J. Spano 1/11/79 PRESS STATEMENT The tankcar (GATX 12932) contained 20,000 gallons of chlorinated carbolic acid (crude orthochlorophenol). This product / is a chemical intermediate used to make wood preservatives. The Norfolk & Western Railroad reports that the accident / occurred at 11:10 p.m, Jan. 10. /One Car in the 68 carload derailed upright with the wheels out from under the car. The derailment occurred 16 miles south of Moberly, Mo., near Sturgeon, Mo. All of the chlorinated carbolic- acid leaked out except 500 gallons / in the heel of the car. No injuries were reported. Minor track / damage was reported by the railroad. The railroad contacted Western Environmental Services of St. Louis to assist in the cleanup. f Chlorinated /carbolic acid is classified as a corrosive i liquid by the Department of Transportation. It is also registered as a class B poison. The label reads (see attachment). Three 2-lonsanto personnel are on the scene at Sturgeon, Mo., to assist in the cleanup effort. -oOo- coo^ 9 &