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Few-Ganache1416 OP t1_j8t7lei wrote

Reply to comment by Riccma02 in IAMA Environmental Engineer AMA about cleaning up after chemical spills! by Few-Ganache1416

It is unlikely that HCL would have rained on anyone other than the residents in nearby Palestine. The most up to date measurements of atmospheric concentrations of the plume that escaped from the fire show insignificant concentrations of acid rain forming chemicals such as HCL.

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Few-Ganache1416 OP t1_j8t7pt9 wrote

I will say that if you are a resident of Palestine, don't go out playing in rain any time soon, but otherwise there isn't too much to worry about down wind.

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Riccma02 t1_j8t96pa wrote

What other byproducts would you expect to find in the burn plume? Obviously it isn’t an ideal way to incinerate chemicals. They can’t be getting complete combustion.

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Few-Ganache1416 OP t1_j8ta4tz wrote

Phosgene gas a chemical weapon used in WWI is also a potential byproduct but I am unsure of the quantity that would be generated. It appears that those involved are aware of the potential and are monitoring those levels as well. I don't currently see any data that suggest that phosgene gas is of immediate concern but that may change with more data. If it is an issue it would have likely dissipated by now and may only be an issue in the upper atmosphere. I have never dealt with phosgene gas so I am not super confident on how it interacts or dissipates in the environment.

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