Clean-up Contractor in Arizona Splashed With Hazmat

Hazardous material being transferred from a derailed tank car splashed onto two clean-up contractors when a hose broke Friday at a wreck scene in Tempe, Arizona, local media reports.

The workers were wearing personal protective clothing when the incident happened. The worker directly splashed was taken to a nearby hospital while the second worker refused further treatment.

Cyclohexanone, used in making nylon, was being pumped out of a railroad tank car and into a truck. At least 10 gallons of the flammable and moderately toxic chemical spilled when the hose broke.

Nearly 500 gallons of the same chemical spilled Wednesday when eight to 10 cars of a 102-car freight derailed and burned as the train crossed Tempe Town Lake Bridge. Several cars that stayed on the track caught fire.

Three tank cars, two of which contained cyclohexanone, toppled from the bridge into the lake.

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