Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) – A number of accidents involving trains, (both passenger, and those transporting hazardous materials) are raising alarm about rail safety, oversight, and protocols in place to keep the public safe - in the event of an emergency.
Thomas E. Winker is Vice Chairman of the East Wisconsin Railroad Consortium, and serves on the commission as a representative for Sheboygan. Winker recently told WHBL news that to his knowledge; hazardous materials are not transported through Sheboygan County by rail.
However, Sheboygan Deputy Fire Chief Charles Butler says that actually, a number of hazardous chemicals move through the city on a regular basis. “We actually are in a low risk area. We have some movement in town between companies, but they are low risk. Probably the worst that go through are Phenol, andFormalin (a liquid Formaldehyde solution). But we don’t have any large quantities going through at a high speed,” Butler says.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Phenol is a chemical used in the production of resins, and is primarily used by the plywood, construction, automotive, and appliance industries. Minimal exposure to phenol can cause extreme skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation. But, the list of complications linked to prolonged exposure to phenol includes everything from; blood and liver complications to vertigo, and digestive problems.
Formalin is highly toxic, and even small quantities can cause extreme upper respiratory complications, when inhaled by humans. Like phenol, long term exposure can severely affect various organ functions.
Click here to read more about Phenol, and Formalin.
Deputy Chief Butler says the amounts of these and other chemicals being transported through Sheboygan follow strict protocols, and as a result, do not pose a threat to the public. Add to that, Butler notes that both the Sheboygan Fire department, and emergency management groups routinely train for possible mishaps. He says, “The Fire Department has hazardous materials training, and we’re always adding more. In addition to that, we have a Sheboygan County hazardous materials response team which is also well versed in the products here in town. We also have a hazardous material response plan for the county that includes state and regional resources, should the need arise."
That said, Butler says he’d be more worried about gas tankers traveling through the city getting involved in an auto accident, than rail traffic moving through. That risk, he says, is far greater.