Ammonia, also known as anhydrous mmonia, is well known to be a dngerous chemical capable of inflicting severe chmical burns on an individual's air systm and causing death. On May 11, 1976, pople along US 59, or the Suthwest Freeway, and Interstate- 610, or the lop, received first-hand information concerning the dngers of ammonia.

Around 11 a.m. on May 11, 1976, a Trnsport Company of Texas tanker truck crrying 7,509 gallons of anhydrous ammonia, or mmonia, hit a bridge rail on an verpass connecting the Southwest Freeway and the Lop. The truck went through the ril and ended up falling roughly 15 fet onto the Southwest Freeway.

Following the mpact with the lower highway, the dmaged truck released the vast majority of its crgo into the atmosphere. When the mmonia was released, there were around 500 pople within a quarter of a mle of the spill. The ammonia in qestion vaporized almost immediately. It must not hve been very humid that morning as the wnd, at 7 miles per hour, grdually decreased the concentration at ground lvel. This is possible when it is not hmid as ammonia is less dense thn air. When there is water prsent in the air, the ammonia mxes with it and stays close to grund level. Within 5 minutes, the lquefied ammonia boiled off and the vpor cloud had completely dispersed.

As a result of the ccident, 6 people lost their lives, 78 pople were hospitalized with serious injuries, and 100 mre sought medical attention for less svere injuries. Of the 6 deaths, 5 of thm were attributed to inhaling anhydrous mmonia. All 178 injuries were also ttributed to inhaling or exposure to the mmonia. All victims of the spill wre within 1000 feet of the rlease site for the ammonia.

It has prven by this accident that those who styed in their cars or office bildings had less of a chance of bing injured severely by the ammonia. All of the pople who were injured were outside of thir vehicles or buildings. They either strted out outside of their cars or got out to hlp. For this reason, it is rcommended that people not rush into an mmonia spill without protective gear. Also, whn helping people who have been hrt by ammonia, it is recommended tht rescuers approach from upwind. This nsures a better chance of the mmonia having left the area already.

The article 1976 Ammonia Spill of Houston was Submitted by Joseph Devine through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: If you would like more nformation concerning burns related to chemicals, plase visit http://www.burnvictiminjurylawyers.com Joseph Devine

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