Update:
The alert from the Mississippi Department of Transportation has been updated to reflect that the ‘railroad car anhydrous ammonia leak’ on MS 613 between Weeks Rd and Evanston Rd has been cleared.
Original Report:
Officials are monitoring a chemical leak in George County.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, a ‘railroad car anhydrous ammonia leak’ has all lanes blocked on MS 613 between Weeks Rd and Evanston Rd.
Hazmat on MS 613 between Weeks Rd & Evanston Rd in #GeorgeCounty has ALL lanes BLOCKED in both directions. Railroad car anhydrous ammonia leak. Enforcement on scene detouring traffic. Public advised to take alternate route. Details: https://t.co/3iXp9EAbmJ #MShwys
— MDOT (@MississippiDOT) December 27, 2018
While the spill is being cleaned up, drivers are advised to take an alternate route and law enforcement is on the scene.
At this time no evacuations are necessary, but residents in the area are reportedly being asked to stay indoors.
According to the CDC, anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas with pungent, suffocating fumes, and it is used as an agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant.
Symptoms of anhydrous ammonia exposure include:
- eye, nose, and throat irritation
- breathing difficulty, wheezing, or chest pain
- pulmonary edema, pink frothy sputum
- burns, blisters and frostbite.
Exposure can be fatal at high concentrations.
