What we know about the Tucson nitric acid truck incident

by Jessica Marie Baumgartner

Photo: Alamy

A truck carrying nitric acid on Interstate 10 in Tucson crashed around 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, according to KOLD, a local news source. The driver was killed after striking the median and Arizona DPS issued an “extensive closure” due to the toxic nature of the chemicals involved, the outlet reported.

Officials ordered a shelter-in-place through 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday night, but an evacuation alert was also issued.

The toxic fumes released by the nitric acid spread around the scene, per BNO News. These have been reported to cause delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis, and dental erosion.

This comes just as the public is learning about the details involving the Ohio train derailment, which released a massive toxic chemical cloud into the atmosphere within East Palestine, according to RSBN. Public interest in that incident erupted after press coverage was lacking and #OhioChernobyl began trending on Twitter. 

Newsweek recently reported that this could lead to a “full-blown ecological crisis,” as animals have died around the area and residents are reporting health issues despite being told it is safe to return home. 

Other questionable incidents recently occurred involving transportation in Texas, as reported by Fox News, as well as South Carolina per Fox Carolina, leading Americans to question the public safety of our roads, railways, and moving toxic chemicals. 

The lack of leadership response is also becoming increasingly concerning, being that Biden has yet to offer any concerns or statements for the people of the areas affected, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg didn’t comment on the Ohio incident until he was harshly criticized by the public for ignoring it in favor of focusing on diversity in the construction industry.

Now, more toxic chemicals have been released, this time in Arizona, and Americans are seeking answers.  

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