247738 Hazardous materials commodity flow analysis: Warren County, Kentucky

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 9:30 AM

Shailesh Advani, MD, MPH(c) , Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Pragati Gole, MD, MPH , Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Rasmi Nair, MBBS , Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Ritchie D. Taylor, PhD , Dept. of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Vijay Golla, PhD , Dept. of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Bob Myatt, MS , Lepc, Warren County Local Emergency Planning Commision, Bowling Green, KY
Transportation of hazardous materials across the country's roads and interstates has increased considerably. This is a risk not only to our environment, but also to human life. The US Department of Transportation and US Environmental Protection Agency have guidelines to respond to emergencies involving specific hazardous materials. This study aims to assess the flow of hazardous materials through Interstate 65 (I-65) and William Natcher Parkway (WNP) corridors that pass through Warren County, Kentucky. Also, the transportation of hazardous materials by the railroad through Warren County, adjacent to Western Kentucky University (WKU) was observed as part of this study. A placard survey of all trucks carrying hazardous materials on I-65 (Northbound and Southbound), and WNP along with rail cars transporting hazardous materials by WKU corridor (Northbound and Southbound) was conducted. The maximum flow of hazardous materials on I-65 was observed between 10 AM and 2PM, whereas for WNP it was between 8 am and 11 am. Gasoline, Diesel and other flammable products constituted the most transported hazardous materials. For the railroad Gasoline, Caustic Soda, and Propane were the most transported hazardous materials. We observed that many of incidents on I-65 and WNP occurred at junctions of these two roads, highlighting the need for LEPC to pay special attention to this area. Based on this study, it is recommended that Local Emergency Planning Commission train its emergency responders to be familiar with ERG Guidebook and the corresponding guide numbers of the most commonly transported materials. This study would help further the efforts of LEPC to prepare for emergency situations involving the transportation of hazardous materials across county lines.

Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess flow of hazardous materials on Interstate (I-65) and William Natcher Parkway (WNP) corridors that pass through Warren County, Kentucky. 2. Assess the transportation of hazardous materials by the railroad through Warren County, adjacent to Western Kentucky University. 3. List guidelines and recommendations Local Emergency Planning Commission responders.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked on this project right from its planning, to data collection, analysis and report writing.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.