Document dQ3v5EqKO9DQQabG2pB7Bv8k0

TO: Distribution FROM: M. D. Lunsford DATE: 07/01/93 SUBJECT: VCNet Meeting Information As you know, Vista is a member of VCNet, a panel of CMA working on Vinyi Chloride Transportation Safety. The panel meets 3-4 times per year to discuss common transportation safety issues, and has sponsored the Vinyi Chloride trainig workshops. Attached is information obtained from the last VCNet Meeting. The information is as follows: 1. A copy of a letter from Oxy to the EPA concerning VCM's status as an "acute toxic substance". 2. A letter that Oxy uses for guidance whenever they are forced, as a last resort, to ship a car that does not meet DOT specifications due to damage incurred in transit, or wnen shipping a car with a capping kit in place. 3. An emergency response press information sheet for VCM that was developed for use in a VCNet response by a contractor or VCNet industrial response team. 4. A donation agreement between LSU and Oxy for the donation of tank cars to the university. It seems that LSU is trying to put a tank car school together, and is soliciting damaged tank cars for the project. This may be worth looking into, if we have any damaged or out-of-date cars available. 5. An article on Greenpeace's Anti-PVC campaign in North America. As I have discussed with some of you, VCNet is working with the CMA to discuss the paragraph in the OSHA VCM Standard that prohibits entry into atmospheres containing 36,000 ppm or unknown concentrations of VCM except for life rescue. Questions have arisen concerning the definition of entry as a result of the new confined space regulation. Also in discussion is the requiement to label PVC resin above and beyond what is required by the Hazard Communication standard, and OSHA's field instructions on that requirement. As I attend these meetings, and as I receive more information from the group, l will pass anything ionteresting along, if you have any questions concerning any of this information, please let me know. 4 M. D. Lunsfono Distribution: Houston- JMK VEM TGG LCCP- KLF ABER- CMM OKC- BKE MPA 0C0014942 A VCNet VCM RAILROAD TANK CAR Emergency Response Press Information HANDOUT INTRODUCTION TO VCM: Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a basic chemical building block and is mainly used as a raw material in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is used to make "vinyl" products such as wallcoverings, upholstery, flooring, house siding, water and sewer pipe, luggage, clothing, automotive parts, medical devices, food wrap, window frames, wire insulation, garden hoses, and phonograph records. Approximately 13 billion pounds of VCM is manufacturered in the United States each year. About five billion pounds of VCM was transported by railroad tank cars in 1992. VCM RELEASE - POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO THE COMMUNITY: Fire and Explosion Hazards !! In gaseous form, vinyl chloride is extremely flammable. A gas cloud may form if a release occurs. If ignited, such a cloud could result in an explosion. Also, vinyl chloride vapors, which are heavier than air, may travel along the ground and could be ignited by distant ignition sources. Therefore, if there is a serious leak, the public would be asked to evacuate at least one-half mile from the scene of the incident. Short-Term Exposure Toxicity When VCM is present in sufficiently high vapor concentrations - about 10,000 parts per million (ppm) - the vapor has an anaesthetic effect. The odor of VCM can usually be detected when it reaches a concentration of 1000 ppm. Since VCM liquid vaporizes very quickly, the liquid becomes cold. If skin is exposed to the liquid, frostbite will occur. Long-Term Exposure Toxicity There should be no long-term or chronic health problems even if any person was exposed to low concentrations of VCM for a number of days. Prior to development of advanced process and emission control technology, long-term exposure to VCM at higher concentrations over a number of years resulted in a rare liver, cancer among some workers. If you have questions, I will try to get the answers for you. May 12, 1993 - UPft 000014943 VCM Tank Car if-Needed Statement Oct. 5,1992 Seven railcars owned or leased by Vista Chemical and filled with vinyl chloride monomer, or VCM, were derailed last night in the town of Kamack, Texas, approximately 25 miles northwest of Shreveport, La. The VCM shipment was from Vista Chemical's Lake Charles VCM Plant and was being shipped to the company's Oklahoma City Plant, where it was to have been used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic resin. Two cars have derailed, two are upside down and three are on their sides. None are leaking at this time, no one has been injured and the situation is stable at this time, according to Kansas City Southern railroad and local sheriff's department personnel on the scene. Five of the cars, all owned by Vista, each contain 30,000 gallons of VCM. The remaining two cars are leased by Vista and each contain 26,000 gallons ofVCM. VCM is a colorless gas and is shipped as a liquid under pressure. VCM vapors in air are flammable. The accident scene is near State Highway 43 and approximately two blocks from an elementary school in the town of Kamack. The school has been closed for the day. =t A chemical industry emergency response team from Morton Thiokol, the local sheriffs department and railroad officials are now at the scene. A Vista emergency response team from Lake Charles is also on the scene. Railroad personnel are moving emergency equipment to the scene to help right and move the cars. Plans now call for the five most heavily damaged cars to be moved to a site more than a mile from town. Vista Chemical is finding empty tank cars in the area which can then be used to offload the VCM from the damaged railcars. The remaining two cars will be set back on the track and ? The railroad has made all the proper notifications, including National Response Center, the Bureau of Explosives, ChemTrec (emergency response center of the Chemical Manufacturers Association), Texas Department of Safety, Texas Railroad Commission, Harrison County Sheriff's Dept. Use if asked: Q. What time was derailment' A. We were informed of the accident about 4 a.m. this morning. We don't know the exact time of the accident. Q. Isn't VCM a carcinogen? A. Exposures to large amounts of VCM over long periods of time (years) has been shown to cause cancer in humans. However, we believe no one in the area is currently at risk because there have been no leaks. The immediate danger until the cars can be emptied is from possible explosion and fire in the event of a leak. v'PA OODij 14?45 -c T -- envis ET c< A its :aking xepl- 3S Perot the /rssicen- npalga, er show i a 30* -toe kind rial... s'tl oo to By Web Lyons'^ongvicw Newt-Journal correspondent \ailroad crews work to right overturned cars Monday following a derailment near Karnack early Monday morning'. Derailment of the cars, which contined vinyl chloride monomer, forced the evacuation of a half-mile area around the site,, arnack train derailment loses school, ammo plant Rich Lyons lews>Jcum3l Correspondent I KARNACK -- A Kansas City dutheru freight train loaded vith flammable chemicals dcailed here early Monday momng, causing the local elementary ichool to keep its doors closed ind Longhorn Army Ammuniion Plant to turn workers away. No leaks were discovered in he seven tank cars that left the rack at the crossing in front of he ammunition plant. The derailment occurred at 3 .m., and residents were backed p onc-hnlf mile from the gales f die ammunition plant as entercncy. workers began rcrailing to cars containing vinyl chloride tonomcr, VCM is a compressed liquid ...as that shares the same 5l------------------------------------------------ flammable properties as cotnpressed propane gas. Some residents of die town left in a panic when they believed ear ly. incorrect reports .that die gas was highly toxic and was escaping from the cars. "VCM is not particularly toxic," said Kerry L. Gregg, community relations coordinator for Vista Chemical Company, the shipper, headquartered in Houston, "but it is flammable, it is a human carcin ogen, and studies show after years of constant exposure there is some increased risk of cancer. "It was once used as an anes thetic in surgery before more mod ern medicines were available. For tunately, in this incident, we had no fire, no leaks and no injuries.'* The cars were cn route from Westlake, La., to Oklahoma City. Ok., where the chemical would be used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), white plastic used primarily in the manufacture of plumbing pipes. Of the seven cars involved three were on their side, two were upside down, and two wer off the tracks but still standing. "Looking at the tank cars, it appears there is damage to them when in reality these cars arc do signed to withstand the severe impact," said Mike Lunsford safety director of the Vist Chemical plant in Westlake. "The steel on the outside of the cars is there to hold four inche: of insulation on the cars. We don't think there Is any damage See Derailment, 9-A By Toni K. Laxson Stall Writer Longview's fcdcru program may moy cramped church built Cotton Street to becor. icrpiccc of Head Start East Texas," said.* Monday. But it will require a effort of the city of L Longview school dis; social agency and "ih die community who fc interest in the need being of sonic very 7.ens," said Dr. . Ron superintendent of tf school district. McMichacl was < men Monday to Longvipw City Count posal that would Longview Head Sta chance to expand t tunny as 200 children from poor families. Last week, a S specifically for a L< Start building/social was tagged onto an bill "by U.S.' Rep. That bill has not y by President Bush. McMichacl told members that the Lr district would donat land off of Youn building. "This would t upon HUDCO (the man Dcvdopmci the city of Longv: other entities from munily offering t sources to constrv crate such a faci said, HUDCO admi; for Gregg, Harr Panola counties. For years, L upreme Court backs Longview o o UriAQ X* tlC ^ -j: TUESDAY LtmtgiirU)^Ocrteo1b1weirn,6lo,1jtq9a92 XA TUESDAY, October 8,1992, Lot longvieM Head Start Derailment forces Traffic moves ncil OKs drilling permits Mi. Advisory Board.'.Thcboard would make recommendations to council members on" where to allocate, federal' grant is funding for drainage money channeled through the city..,. ,7 Councilman Mark Pruitt asked that oded drilling site requasied conversation about the board be post iidtions will be southeast of poned until a local minister could partic oge Road and north of the ipate irfth discussion.-The matter will r. Another company well will be pfacad on the city council's first No*' t of Loop 281 and northeast vember work session. . . . : sd. ` '.: , Council members'-'Approved four any will also besubject to a other oil and gas drilling applications j>ent that drillers leave the Inducing:'' `f- \ tjoash bond to fi* problems A request Iron Amoco Production ( don't'- respond quickly Co. and Oxy USA for a natural gas well located south'cf Chad,Street.and east Buggested the cash bond to c? LaFamo Road, with access from. ant problems between the Payne.Road,'1..,,.. . ... i * industry and'.r'esidehis who A request from Oxy USA for a nat ible drillers'allow dust, ural gas well located east of Pine Tree sither..problems ,;to mar Road and north ,cf Helane Lane'Twith is. '* 1 access from Juanita Street.- ' / - > said he did' hot think the A request from Oxy USA for a nat a panacea'" to recent ural gas well locatod wost of Kriss Drive 'and north of Cheryl Street,,with access,: voerns 'me Is that, in ther from Kriss'Drive. " . \5y.w' si I've been on the council, `A request from Oxy.USA for & nat weaty very .quickly of these ural gas well located south of George anting into' this city'.`getting Richey Road and cast of Fenton Road-! ri: and then totally ignoring with access from George Richey Road nd being totally irresportsl- to Restoration Road. . . ,.,7,7 on said. h 7ne council also passed a number of aion, city council decided to zoning roquests based on recommen oaslng the possible forma- dations, from the city's .Planning'and Community -.Development Zoning Commission. ' rposcs.'u . . ' . /'* Lapproached. Torn'McCO executive director,' cand.they, in turn, pre-Chapman,'-'W'hq as.a ic House, Appropriation ad th: pull to see that n officers 92 calls' t weekend, ,Longvicw red 992 calls; rc'spondUls to: scPr'ice and aso miscellaneous calls, hops andv113, officer-' the S400,000 grant made It into ihc biU. f "" >:' One very attractive feature of the proposal presented by/McMichacl was the inclusion 6f several social service offices that provide assis tance to lire same families that have children in Head Strut. ' " McClurg described die project as a "oncc-in-a-lifctimc chance." ' "And we want it in' Longview," added. Ron .McCutchcon, HUDCO board president. V. newly 2-way ^School. tO Close ;: *s * 'V. '* i*- *1. i. * From 1-A From Staff Reports .: ,y 'to any of the cars structurally/.'^^.. 'iv.Oncc the cars-arc..righted,'.and,' placed^ back. oh the.'.tracks,^they "' will be Amoved-.several miles'.Out' of town and.thc .'contents wilDbc; uploaded`tp'nc*w"'cars. L' That process es scheduled to be-, gm thii morning if the cleanup is' Traffic ;mo'vVd: slowly,^ but surely ^fonday-alprig tl/c'newly converted t'vvp-wuy^WhfdcyStreet. ";:4'; j The'stree! "Wus* re-opened Monday 7 morniiig"!aftcr_ being closed over the .weekend, as ^-construction.' workers finished;-, ch'anging'i-.thc' 'one-way completed by then!,. ... .' street intoja iwtvwayrtiioroughfarc. - .The. 'cleanup., involves emer gency f.'crews from'KCS and Hulchcr Emergency Services, a company specializing in early re sponse to derailments involving TTic conversion' utilised some traf fic-problems,.said Longview police officer Lloyd Phillips . "Traffic'wits stacking up, but it was nothing drastic," said Phillips. hazardous matcri als. "We've got four side-boomed 'Today, it was quite an experi ence watching everybody uy to gci Longvietv 'finaltractors. and. a from end loader from Hulcher," said Michael Hahn, KGS ' vice president of transportation, who was supervis ing the emergency crews. "Evprythingis'going wc^l"', * ' * - Officials wit! not begin trying to determine the cause of the de railment until later today. Hahn said' the!track' is* "pretty well., tore From 1-A Department is serving as.tcchnica adviser for project specifications. *' "I think we've got a top shot fu it " Rubicoff said. "We've got the in terstatc coming through Longview wc'rc -offering .them ,ia beautiful lo up," and;;will. rot offer any clues ' (70 acres), and wc'rc located right i; to thcause of'tire mishap until tlte middle of a lot of the lakes lira 7thecars arc, removed 4 and ` die big bass conic from." ; ; track'Iscgmcitts.'ean'- be' inspected .'.-Rubicoff said-thaf'iibout 20 full inajab/- "'Mr1 time state employees would staff th Hc'cxpccts the tracks will rc- ' center, along with those cornpJetinr opcii,today.for more, train^traffic/ - "internships. A-Fishing Hail of Fame ... Firc^- trucks and'.: ambulances >, and historical museum, arc c'xpcctec from'^.^arsHali;,' Ka'rr.ack and' Lto be included in tlic projccias well. Waskom were on alert. ;,v Tt's something that wd' rcaliy Crews stayed the full half-mile - need," he said. "This would be the. distance from the. wreckage in the ' first partnership between the city an event dial an explosion occurred. the statCj and for all interested i. Officials from KCS, Vista and 'long-term gains in tourism Hulchc'r said there was little dan Longview is the place'to put it." ger of an explosion. - . In addition to aquariums and othc exhibits lo provide a key tcachin ivestieated'' 46*' motortents; 90 reported theft ng eight cases of shop- 12 vehicle^ burglaries, business burglaries in* mber 22. . : cases of criminal mist ala.-ms.and SO distur- ere investigated. Foiiyr.ces were classified as * v g g? IV? *SS;^ I g^-V ilieSa ~3 1 '< o < UJ a:. rV< a x CUCO o 2 oo H2 X CO LU X CO faJ< X o tu ~5 X LU < a co CO s CO Q LU X Q 2 D X t- I T ^ l"T M j TT uuon r :- h^;v'v;v ;EA > w There are ho leaks''or discharge ' . 'According to Gilatrap, the KCS officials arc als^'invcs--/;always notified," said'.Gilstnp.' p' of the chemical fronfthe over:':'^tKldcnt, occurred x very short ligating the site- to. determine ^"Sheriff Oldham/,and . his turned cars at the, site." j> ,.. distance south .of die .west gale . the cause of the derailment.. department and railway officials . Gilstrap `said vinyl. chloride:. main entrance leading to the . " Gilstrap said railroad officials,, arc handling the situation Very is. a. .highly,-flammable :sub;.;:.Longhoro Army Ammunition, feared attempting to drain the .well. We don't anticipate the stance, according to .railway Plant where Tc.\as 43 intersects tank cars on-site because of the situation becoming more sen- officials, : ' l?,' . with Texas'134, nearby school, ammunition ous ihantihat which has already "City 'and Kamaek ^School ' {The railway company has plant and residences, "** occurred.*' '*' i- f i.a Continued from 1 . i >i. .,r ction 12 Pages 35 lack immable sorted * .^ ; V ISD'closes fo nearby unpuses HAEL J. MICA t Messenger ARNACK---Students in -ack public schools goc an * pccted day off today when wses were closed followj train derailment near the ndary campus. fficiaJs feared the earlv line derailment, which took i about 400 yards to 500 t northeast of the secondary >us, might have caused an tncly flammable substance,. I chloride, to leak from rev- tanker can. _> .. X long after the derailment,* rials from, the Harrison iry Sheriff's'.Office called* ig Superintendent Dr. Anita :er and' suggested schools 1od for the day. "he sheriff** department rec- See-SCHOOLS/2 Schools,.., '*: Contlnuod from M ommended we close schools, so coverage, of die derailment an we did," said KISD Board of advisory; for KISD students to Trustees,President John Alford. stay home. Walker was* on `the scene Walker also called secondary Monday morning to be on hand campus principal Vemora Mar.-, in tf* event that act evacuation shall and elementary principal of residents was ordered from Cozetta-Warren, requesting they 'die area. Reports stated that contact teachers to advise: diem Kamaek 1SD would provide of the situation. . ,. school buses to transport resi dents. out of the* area,, if an evacuation was deemed neces- !'sary,. * ` ' *r ,\* ^ ' School,- administrative offices were also* shutdown ..for the day*.. andaVfiyohc .calling,.the superintendent's office was Walker received the call from greeted with a' recording the siveriff's office at4:l5 a.m., explaining the^school closing./ about 45 minutes -after'.the derailment. She * then called radio,*and television stations, asking them to include in their Classes : .arc-' scheduled to resume'-Tuesday, momiiig.1 school officials ` said.- Vr* 1 'l. s* UPA QOij 4? To: Vista Media Players A Interoffice Communication J From: Date: Kerry Gregg September 23, 1992 Subject: LCVCM CTIRP Drill VISTA Hi, This is your instruction sheet for your part in tomorrow's CTIRP emergency drill. Your mission will be to play the media and harass the drill's key players. At approximately 8 a.m. tomorrow morning the following information will be handed to Mike Lunsford at the VCM plant and he will be asked to respond to this emergency. You need to put your calls in to Mike (318/494-5039), pretending to be reporters, immediately after he is given this information. I will arrange to have you alerted as soon as he is handed the information. As soon as you have completed your calls to Mike, conduct the same drill with^Jancy Tower ' (318/494-5301) and Bob Miller (318/494-5353). 'TZkJL} ft lg)$4'5f>3 The following is the information Lunsford will be given: "A VCM tank car has derailed twenty miles south of Shreveport LA. The car derailed with a string of other cars. On derailing the car rolled down an embankment and a hissing sound was heard from the car and a white cloud is being released from the car with a faint sweet odor. Two other cars are leaking and their products are unknown at this time. Just north of the derailment is a Girl Scout camp and camp is in session with approximately 200 campers present. Wind direction is from the south. Just east of the derailment is an interstate highway." This is all the informadon Mike will be given before you make your call to him. Please coordinate your calls to provide for the maximum delay possible in Mike leaving for the scene of the derailment. MSR (CBS) should call first, then DLT (CNN), then KK (NPR). Ideally, as soon as one call is completed the next call should be coming in. After these initial calls Mike will not be reachable (one purpose of this drill is to show the need for cellular phones for Vista's CTIRP responders), you can then begin calling Tower and Miller. Be sure to set up callbacks so that Miller and Tower can update the "media". Suggested questions: Who, what, when, where, how, why? What are the health effects of VCM? How many people have been hurt? Could it explode? Is anyone in danger if it explodes? Have we evacuated the Girl Scouts? Why not? What chemicals are in the other tank cars? Whose fault is this? How much VCM has leaked? When can he get back to us with more information? Who else can we talk to for more information? ' ^ I / .' -JftU&A $ i.vspa 00Q01495Q m/U A H 00001.Hy