Train carrying hazardous chemicals derails in Atlanta

ATLANTA - It took about six hours but officials were able to contain a chemical leaking from an overturned freight car. <br> <br> The chemical - hexamethylenediamine - started leaking from the dome of an overturned freight car at about 2:10 p.m. after eight cars of a 79-car train derailed. The CSX train was on its way from New Orleans to Abbeville, S.C. <br> <br> ``What was noticed was a white vapor cloud coming out of the car,&#39;&#39; said CSX spokesman Craig Camuso said. <br> <br> Hexamethylenediamine - a liquid chemical used to make nylon - is a dangerous corrosive that can cause ``severe burns to mucus membranes, respiratory tract, eyes, and skin,&#39;&#39; according to the Web site for Cornell University&#39;s department of Environmental Health and Safety. <br> <br> One woman and her three children who were getting off a MARTA bus nearby were exposed to vapors and had to be hosed down. The woman was taken to Grady Hospital after she broke out in a rash. <br> <br> Dr. Jim Augustine, medical director for the Atlanta Fire Department, said late Saturday the woman and her children were fine. <br> <br> The derailment left seven cars on their sides. Five of them were carrying hexamethylenediamine. <br> <br> Atlanta fire officials cleared the area within a half-mile of the spill and evacuated about 100 people from three residential streets. Residents were asked to go to a nearby church until it was safe to go back to their homes. <br> <br> ``We heard sirens,&#39;&#39; said Alicia Flemister, 14. ``The cops came and told us a train derailed and chemicals spilled. I was afraid that if it gets airborne, it could contaminate our food.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Fire officials reopened the area and allowed residents to go back to their homes at about 8:30 p.m. after they stopped the leak. They were expected to work through the night cleaning the area. <br> <br> ``We treated it like it was a big thing because that hexamethylenediamine - that stuff is moderately toxic,&#39;&#39; said Jolene Butts Freeman, spokeswoman for the Atlanta Fire Department. ``You treat it like it was heavily toxic because residents and people were involved.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Another car was leaking adepic acid a nontoxic powder used to make foam. The chemicals were not near each other. Authorities believe the liquid shifted inside the car, causing the derailment. <br> <br> Camuso said all other trains will be detoured until the area is cleaned up.