What could have been a breath taking experience was averted.  A chlorine gas leak near Boston Collegewas contained by the Boston Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Unit. 

The leak occurred inside a delivery truck and involved an “empty” container of chlorine.  The truck was operated by Airgas, a company that distributes medical and industrial gases, including chlorine.  The driver had just delivered ten chlorine containers to the Dedham Water Department and had picked up what was thought to be empty containers.

The Dedham Water Department uses chlorine gas for the disinfection of drinking water.  While other methods of disinfection are available, Dedham is one of numerous water treatment plants across the nation still using chlorine gas.

The occupants of the Merkert Chemistry Building and Campion Hall, which houses the Lynch School of Education, were evacuated due to safety concerns. Portions of Beacon Street also had to be shut down.

The driver of the truck was on his way to deliver gas to the college when he noticed an unusual odor and possible leak.  He immediately pulled over and called 911.  The HazMat Unit declared a level three HazMat Situation.

Chlorine gas can be deadly.  During a 2004 Union Pacific rail road accident in San Antonio, Texas, nearly sixty tons of gas was released.  The train conductor and two residents in a nearby house died from chlorine inhalation. About 43 people were hospitalized from chlorine inhalation, including 6 emergency responders.

In 2005, a rail road accident in Graniteville, South Carolina, resulted in the release of 90 tons of chlorine gas.  As a result of this release, nine people died and more than 250 were hospitalized.  More that 5,000 people living within a one- mile radius of the crash site were evacuated.

In the Boston College incident, the leaking container was empty or nearly empty.  If the containers had been full, up to two tons of chlorine gas could have been released.  It was nearly a breathtaking experience.