Chemical spills & hazmat
Trains, trucks, pipelines, and refineries move hazardous chemicals right through Utah's cities. If something leaks, you'll be told to leave or to shelter in place, and you need to know how.
Hazardous materials travel through Utah on I-15, I-80, and three major rail lines, and five refineries line I-15 between Rose Park and Bountiful. Accidents are rare, but when one happens, officials decide whether you evacuate or shelter in place. Salt Lake County (opens source in a new tab) Utah OED (opens source in a new tab)
Why it matters in Utah
- Union Pacific runs 1,265 miles of track in Utah, and hazardous waste is among the top commodities it carries in the state. Union Pacific (opens source in a new tab)
- Salt Lake County's hazmat plan names I-15, I-215, and I-80, three major rail lines, and several pipelines as hazmat threats. Salt Lake County (opens source in a new tab)
- Utah's five refineries sit along I-15 between Rose Park and Bountiful. Utah OED (opens source in a new tab)
- In 2005, a leaking rail tank car in South Salt Lake forced about 3,000 residents to evacuate and closed I-15. In 2009, a refinery explosion in Woods Cross damaged more than 100 homes. FHWA (opens source in a new tab) CSB (opens source in a new tab)
- In 2022, a burning chemical truck on I-80 led residents near Tollgate in Summit County to shelter in place. KSL (opens source in a new tab)
Who's most affected
- People who live or work near rail lines, interstates, refineries, and pipelines. Salt Lake County (opens source in a new tab)
- People who are outdoors or driving when a leak happens. Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab)
What to do
1 Before
- Sign up for your county's alerts: in a chemical emergency, that's how evacuation and shelter-in-place orders reach you. Utah DEM (opens source in a new tab)
- Pick a shelter room: an interior room above ground (not the basement), with few windows. Be Ready Utah (opens source in a new tab) Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab)
- Keep plastic sheeting, duct tape, and scissors in your kit for sealing a room if you're told to. Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab)
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. CDC (opens source in a new tab)
- Save Utah Poison Control in every phone: 1-800-222-1222, free and private, 24 hours a day. Utah Poison Control Center (opens source in a new tab)
2 During
- Listen to officials about whether it's safer to evacuate or shelter in place. CDC (opens source in a new tab)
- Evacuate: go right away. In a car, close the windows and vents and turn off the air conditioning. If you're outside, stay upwind, uphill, and upstream, at least half a mile away. Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab) FEMA (opens source in a new tab)
- Shelter in place: bring everyone and pets inside, lock doors and windows, close vents and fireplace dampers, and turn off fans and heating or cooling. Go to your interior room, and if you're told to, seal it with plastic sheeting and duct tape and fill gaps with wet towels. Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab) Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab)
- If there's a risk of explosion, stay away from windows. Be Ready Utah (opens source in a new tab)
3 After
- Stay sheltered until officials say it's safe to leave. Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab)
- If you were exposed, take off your clothing and seal it in a plastic bag, wash with soap and water, flush your eyes, and get medical care or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Ready.gov (opens source in a new tab) CDC (opens source in a new tab)
- Report spills to Utah DEQ's 24-hour line at (801) 536-4123, and call 911 if anyone is in danger. Utah DEQ (opens source in a new tab)