PAYING FOR RISKS ON THE RAILS

view slideshow

This train in Graniteville, South Carolina, crashed while carrying chemicals called "toxic inhalation hazards." Transporting these chemicals is extremely dangerous, and rail companies think chemical companies should share some of the insurance burden. (Photo courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency)

Toxic Inhalation Hazards are a class of chemicals with a notorious name: if you inhale them, you die. On the flip side, they're useful: Take chlorine. It purifies drinking water. Another is anhydrous ammonia. It's used for corn fertilizer. The government feels some toxic inhalation hazards are so important it forces railroads to ship them, even though insurance is expensive. Shawn Allee says rail lines now want the chemical industry to chip in:

Website of the Association of American Railroads

A trade magazine article on the issue

Transportation Security Administration website on Toxic Inhalation Hazards

Producer: Shawn Allee
Release Date: March 2, 2009
Running Time: 3:29