KEACHI, La. — About 130 people are under an evacuation order today (Saturday, Jan. 28) after a Union Pacific train derailed near Shreveport, La., Friday night and began leaking hazardous materials, the Associated Press reports.
Approximately 16 cars derailed about 10:30 p.m. in Keachi (also spelled as Keatchie), about 30 miles southwest of Shreveport. Louisiana State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom told the AP that led to the release of “a corrosive liquid. … In the best interest of public safety, a mandatory evaculation for everyone in a 1.5-mile radius was issued.”
UP spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said one car was leaking propinoic acid and another was leaking acetic anhydride, but that there is “no known impact to waterways at this time.” Propinoic acid, used as an antifungal agent in food, can cause eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation, and corneal and skin burns, among other reactions to exposure. Acetic anhydride, used to make fibers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and explosives, is highly corrosive to skin, with any direct contact causing severe burns.
KTBS-TV reports about 10,000 gallons of acetic anhydride and less than 1,000 gallons of propinoic acid were involved.
Three crew members who were transported to a hospital as precaution have been released, Tysver said.
No estimate was available when the evacuation order might be lifted.
