Shelter-in-place order in Wood River to remain in effect until Friday morning
The Wood River Police Department has extended a shelter-in-place order for residents until 6 a.m. Friday following a chemical leak from a railroad car.
This is being done “as a precaution at the recommendation of the environmental engineers,” according to the Wood River Police Department.
A spokesperson with the Wood River Police Department had no additional information other than the updated shelter-in-place order. A message was left for a representative with Norfolk Southern Railway.
According to a Wood River Police Department release, police, fire department and other agencies are assisting the railroad with a car that is venting spent sulfuric acid.
A water curtain was being sent into the air to keep the area safe earlier in the day a Code Red call was made to alert citizens.
The shelter in place Code Red was issued for the area south of Illinois 143, west of Illinois 111, north of West Third Street and east of North Old Edwardsville Road.
Citizens in the designated area are “strongly encouraged” to turn off their air conditioners and close windows, police said. Sixth Street south of Illinois 143 to Illinois 111 is closed as a precaution.
Wood River police officials were hopeful the order would be lifted Thursday, and now will await environmental engineers to give the go ahead to lift the order, police said.
“Remember, everything being done is to keep you safe in the event the situation would worsen,” the Wood River PD said on its Facebook page.
The Madison County Emergency Management Agency Command Post is on scene.
According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, sulfuric acid is a corrosive substance, destructive to the skin, eyes, teeth, and lungs. Severe exposure can result in death. Workers may be harmed from exposure to sulfuric acid. The level of exposure depends on dose, duration, and type of work being done, according to NIOSH.
In the environment, according to National Pollutant Inventory, sulfuric acid has short-term toxicity on aquatic life, but would badly burn any plants, birds or land animals exposed to it.