NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM

Of The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan

G-OPF 2100 2nd St. S.W., Washington, DC 20593-0001

Chlorine Release

Occurrence Date:

14 August, 2002

Location:

Festus, MO
NRC Report Number:   619872

Source:

Storage Tank and Rail Car

Material:

Chlorine

Severity:

Major

Quantity Discharged:

Unknown

Quantity in Water:

Unknown

Body of Water Affected:

Unknown

Federal On-Scene Coordinator:

EPA VII
Description:

On Aug 14, 2002 at approximately 10:41 a.m., the National Response Center received a report of a release of chlorine from a rail car due to unknown causes. The report was updated when the incident appeared on Fox News. The news stated that the town of Festus was being evacuated due to a large vapor cloud around the facility. Live video showed the material releasing from the rail car and possibly a storage tank. Nothing else was reported on the national news channels. CASE CLOSED.