All lanes of I-75 reopened after truck leaks poisonous chemical that closed stretch for 12 hours

A 15-mile stretch of Interstate 75 in Lee and Charlotte counties was finally reopened Monday night after being shut down for nearly 12 hours due to a truck leaking a poisonous chemical.

The FHP said the carrier involved was Insituform Technologies LLC out of Chesterfield, Montana. The company was cited for a violation of 49 Hazmat regulations covering securing packages in a motor vehicle.

The carrier was issued a $500 fine for the violation.

Florida Highway Patrol closed the southbound lanes at Tuckers Grade (Mile Marker 158) and the northbound lanes at Bayshore Road (Mile Marker 143) at around 10 a.m.  Southbound lanes of I-75 at Tuckers Grade reopened shortly before 2 p.m.

The northbound lanes of I-75 remained closed until 9:55 p.m., due to containers having to be inspected and offloaded onto a second refrigeration truck, the FHP said.

During a traffic stop, troopers smelled an odor coming from the truck and saw
something leaking from the right rear door.

It was determined that the truck was transporting over 15,000 pounds of a highly flammable resin solution.

The resin was identified as the synthetic chemical Styrene in multiple 250-gallon, 3-foot-by-3 foot totes, said Todd Dunn, Charlotte County spokesman. 

Units from Charlotte County Fire/EMS Hazmat, Fort Myers Fire Department Hazmat, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Charlotte County Emergency Management and Community Emergency Response Team Hazmat crews worked the  scene.

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 According to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Styrene is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins.

The resins are used to make plastic packaging, disposable cups and containers, insulation, and other products. Styrene is also produced naturally in some plants.

About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs, and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene.

Health effects from exposure to Styrene may involve the central nervous system and include complaints of headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, malaise, difficulty in concentrating, and a feeling of intoxication.

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