Ammonia leak was no cause for alarm

Walbridge, Ohio-The Ohio EPA and local emergency responders found nothing to be concerned about after checking out an ammonia leak from a CSX rail car Monday, Nov. 22. “I was on the spot myself and checked on a few puddles of water with an ammonia test kit and found zero readings,” Ohio EPA on-scene coordinator Mike Gerber told Green Markets. He agreed that it was almost a non-event. Gerber said two fire departments in the area responded along with Eagle Environmental, which handles these matters for CSX. He said it was probably a cap over the discharge pipe that was dripping a small amount. “They shut the valve on the bottom of the car and went in and drained and resealed the cap,” he reported. The local press had it somewhat more serious, reporting that tests were being run at the Stanley Yard outside Walbridge, and there were concerns that the groundwater would be contaminated. One unidentified person was reportedly taken to the hospital by CSX personnel as a precaution, but was shortly back at the yard.