Two other people were injured Friday afternoon when an exercise car filled with dangerous fabrics was unloaded days after it derailed over Tempe Town Lake, the chimney branch said.
Contractors were splashed with cyclohexanona while disconnecting the hose from a car tank full of chemicals, according to Andrea Glass, deputy director of Tempe’s Fire Department.
Cyclohexane is a solvent used in the manufacture of nylon and to dilute resins and hairs.
The first worker, a 52-year-old man, splashed on his face with the chemist, which Glass described as “a skin irritant.” He was transported to a nearby burn unit with serious but non-fatal injuries.
His face was flushed before he was transported to the hospital. Glass said he could open his eyes and see at the time.
Should we be concerned?: 1 of the derailed Tempe tank cars using cyclohexanona
The moment the employee sprayed the chest with the chemical. He treated him at the scene and refused to send him to the hospital.
Approximately 10 gallons of the chemical spilled into the soil below the train before the leak was contained, Glass said. Three tank cars still need to be offloaded.
As a result of the incident, operations in the exercise decreased for a week or two, Glass said.
The cause of liquid spraying is not transparent at this time, Glass said, however, warm temperatures could have been a factor.
“Temperatures are in our favor with respect to this chemical,” he said.
Due to the incident, smooth operations were suspended around the domain until Friday night.