GRANTS, N.M. – A massive toxic spill just outside of Grants, New Mexico, was a large contributor to the 30-mile-long backup on Interstate 40 through Cibola County on Sunday, November 21. Cleanup operations have been ongoing, as of press time the cleanup work was not yet done. Hazmat specialists were called in from Phoenix, Arizona to assist in the cleanup as they were the closest specialists in the region. No firefighters were injured in the course of the cleanup, one police officer was exposed to the toxic plume which resulted from the spill.
The spill
Around 11 a.m. a semitruck was travelling Westbound on Interstate 40 when it crashed into one SUV and didn’t stop. Instead, the truck continued down the road, crashing into another SUV, shattering its rear windshield. After two accidents, the truck then crashed into another semitruck before going through the guardrail and flipping on its side.
The now crashed and torn open refrigerated truck was leaking at least one form of liquid toxin, which was reacting with something on the ground, creating a plume of toxic white smoke. The leak was on the frontage road just off the interstate.
Crews responded and immediately shutdown the interstate, this was done to secure the scene and ensure that responders, community members, and travelers on the interstate were safe and healthy. As the plume of toxic smoke grew larger and larger, Cibola County Emergency Manager Dustin Middleton went to work.
Middleton organized a safe zone upwind of the toxic plume and pulled out his binoculars in an effort to learn what chemicals were leaking from the truck. Typically, and by federal law, when a truck is hauling toxic chemicals, it has a placard on the back explaining what is in the truck. This refrigerated truck did not have that.
The containers that were carrying the chemicals are marked with a 704 Diamond which has a special code for whatever type of chemical is inside. There was a large enough opening in the truck that Middleton could make out the numbers and instantly identified the first chemical as sulfuric acid.
With an understanding that sulfuric acid interacts negatively with other types of chemicals, Middleton determined that the truck was hauling sodium chlorite, and when the responding fire and emergency crews were able to gain the shipping manifesto, they determined the other chemical spill to be perchlorate hydrogen.
When all three chemicals mix, they can create a number of health complications to which limited exposure could potentially be fatal. The white smoke was a product of the mixing of chemicals that produced “toxic fumes.” Just a few drops of these chemicals can be fatal.
Because of this large risk to their health, crews had to reposition several times as the wind shifted, with the team deploying a windsock to ensure they were not in danger. After the chemicals were identified, Middleton was obligated to call for help. The amount of sulfiric acid in the mixture which was spilling out of the truck could eat through firefighter equipment, and while firefighters have access to some hazmat equipment, they did not have the heavyduty equipment that they needed.
The closest hazmat specialists in the area were in Phoenix, AZ, with the closest member of their team being in Farmington, NM. In the meanwhile, since fire crews couldn’t spray the chemicals with water, road crews helped pour dirt over what they could and fire crews used their extinguishers to lessen the popping from the acid.
Emergency crews alerted a nearby house about the incident and the possible toxic exposure but residents chose to shelter in place despite the request for them to evacuate. Emergency crews gave the residents tips to keep their exposure as limited as possible.
Because the toxins spilled onto the ground and into the earth, an environmental rehabilitation process may need to begin to address spill, according to Middleton.
Federal law dictates that trucking companies responsible for these types of spills must shoulder the burden of cleanup. Emergency Manager Middleton explained that all entities involved will file for reimbursement for the extra hours and cost incurred in this incident, and that all responding fire crews will report their exposure to toxic chemicals.
As of press time crews are still working on cleanup.
What caused the crash?
The driver’s side door was wide open when crews arrived, and the driver of the truck was nowhere to be found.
As of press time, New Mexico State Police is searching for the driver of the truck.
When asked if the driver might be under the truck, Middleton said that its too early to tell. For the moment NMSP will continue their search, and when Middleton has confirmation as to whether the driver is under the truck or not the investigation may take a new turn.
Responding crews were only recently able to get the truck upright and stop all containers from spilling.
With the recent supply chain crunch across the United States, some trucking agencies have started transporting cargo they don’t normally haul. This includes toxic chemicals because vegetable and fruit produce are not moving as frequently around the country as it was before the supply crunch.
“At this point, we’re out of the woods,” Middleton said, “When cleanup is done everything will be moved to an undisclosed location.”
Responding crews to the incident received very little sleep. Operations began around 11 a.m. on Nov. 21 and finally ceased for sleep around 5 a.m. on Nov. 22. Crews returned to work at 8 a.m. that day.
Traffic
The shutdown of Interstate 40 caused a 30-milelong backup, causing some community members to be stuck on the road for over four hours.
To avoid the backup, drivers began using Exit 89 to get off at the Skyway gas station. This funneled traffic through the old road and onto Santa Fe Avenue, where a several mile-long processions was at a stopand-go pace while waiting for the light to turn at NM53.
While this traffic was ongoing, the Cibola Citizen witnessed eight near-accidents and witnessed impatient locals drive in bike and shoulder lanes to get around the out-of-town travelers who were holding up traffic along Santa Fe Avenue.
Grants Police Department managed traffic control, and despite several near-accidents, there were no accidents reported on city streets during this period of time. GPD Interim Chief Jeff Marez credited his officers for keeping a visible presence.
Community assistance
The Grants-Cibola community came out in force to support first responders. Pizza Hut, Subway and John Brooks Supermarket in Milan donated food and supplies to the first responders.
City of Grants Councilor Erik Garcia travelled with his son, who took the first responders’ hot chocolate which Emergency Manager Middleton said was much needed.
Middleton thanked the community for its support and said that the whole team worked well together.
Health of first responders
All of the first responders who went to the scene were exposed, at least to a minimal extent, to the toxic chemicals. Middleton explained that fire crews were all safe during the exposure to the best of their ability.
One Cibola County Sheriff’s Deputy was exposed to the toxic chemicals and was having lung pain after the exposure. Sheriff Tony Mace said that the deputy is doing okay as of press time, and that the deputy is monitoring their health.