The recent train derailment tragedy in which several people died from chlorine inhalation prompted some thinking on my part. We have railroad tracks less than 400 yards from our house, and I realized I hadn't given much thought to preparations for a similar situation here. I have no experience with gas masks, Evacu-8 hoods or similar items, and wanted to solicit suggestions for any specific items I should consider adding to my kit. Thanks.

So do you ride the trains, or just want to prepare to help people in case of an accident?

I guess it doesn't matter, I'd like to learn more about those things too. There are a bunch of products out there, and everyone says theirs works the best....

I think he wants to be prepared in case a train derails and dumps something nasty in his neighborhood.

While a filtration mask may prove to be useful in this or similar situations, please keep in mind that they do not provide a source of air (oxygen). Gaseous products that might leak from a railcar or truck might in addition to being toxic/noxious may actually displace breathable air. In these circumstances, no filtration mask will be of benefit, distance from the scene as quickly as possible is your only option, short of having and using a breathing apparatus (SCBA or SABA).

Pete

Nice way of saying "Run away!"

That's the primary purpose, but also to help others, neighbors, etc., without jeopardizing my or my family's safety.

Thanks. That's helpful. I definitely don't want to be standing around on the corner of my street reading the back of a filter package and trying to identify the contents of the cloud floating my way.

That's a good point, I think chlorine displaces oxygen, so even if you had a filter there would be no oxygen for you

When I was trained in a rescue unit one of the wfirst things we learned that we don't run especially not "away from". Running may lead to a close encounter with the ground which won't make your movement faster. Walking fast will do.

I would suggest contacting your local Emergency Manager, Red Cross, or Public Health Department and ask about chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive events and what steps you can take to protect yourself. They should have lots of information for you. Also look for a HAZMAT awareness course in your area (again contact any of the above) this course will teach you how to ID what you might encounter and what to do. Chesk into joining your local volunteer fire department if you have the time. They can also provide you with training. A self contained breathing appratus is probably the best way to go to protect yourself but not everyone carries one in their back pocket (humor). Some will tell you to shelter in place. this depends on the distance to the chemical and if you are in more danger if you attempt to leave. So I would suggest doing a google on shelter in place and consider that as an option. I am including some links to check out. The best way to protect yourself is to increase the distance from the incident and minimize the time that you are exposed.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/shelteringfacts.asp
http://www.lepcinfoexchange.com/sipexamples.html#brochures

The problem with a major problem like a train wreck/poison gas spill is the major screwups that happen right afterward. IMHO, waiting to be told to get the hell out doesn't make much sense.

I was living in Las Vegas, NV, when the Pioneer Chlor Alkali facility in nearby Henderson started leaking from a faulty valve.

The employees thought they could control it, so they didn't call for help.

A passing motorist smelled the gas & saw the green cloud, called 911 & got laughed at by the dispatchers because what could that dumb broad know?

Someone else called 911 a little later, so someone was finally bright enough to figure out that there might be a problem.

Half an hour after the first call, the first alarm went out.

When the first firefighters arrived, still no alarm had been activated, & the employees had been overcome by the gas.

The protective clothing & SCBA units had been stored at the contaminated facility instead of someplace nearby where they could be reached & used.

Communications weren't set up to work between the different responding parties (shades of 9-11), as usual.

Over a period of several hours, 70 tons of chlorine gas escaped. Nearly 7,000 people were evacuated from the area (quite heavily residential -- good place for a chlorine factory), & about 200 were taken to hospitals.

The only group that was able to shelter in place was a nearby hospital, where they decided to set the air conditioning to recirculate only the interior air, as evacuating the patients would expose them to the gas.

IMHO, if there's a freight train derailment, just get the hell out. By the time the people "in control" figure out what's going on, you & your family might well be dead. Grab 'em & git! If nothing happens, call it a fire drill.

Sue