We consider what was known about exposure to chlorine gases at the time of the Alberton spill, and understood about multiple chemical sensitivity.Autor: Ron Scholl

We continue the chapter on Claims, as Alberton spill victims recount their experiences with Montana Rail Link claims agents. We also look at the case to be made for exposure to chlorine and other chemicals in the Alberton spill.Autor: Ron Scholl

We begin the final part of GASSED, Part 6, The Last Train, which examines the only remaining avenue for justice for the Alberton spill victims--litigation. Pictured: may of Cyr to FrenchtownAutor: Ron Scholl

We conclude Part 5, as Robert Martin resigns as EPA Ombudsman rather than accept the restructuring of his office, which would vastly weaken its function. With Martin no longer on the Alberton case, the EPA Office of Inspector General issues a final report on the Alberton spill.Autor: Ron Scholl

We begin Part V-Derailed. The EPA releases its blueprint to muzzle EPA Ombudsman Bob Martin, threatening to derail all of his cases, including Alberton. Meanwhile, the EPA finally retests the Alberton spill site.Autor: Ron Scholl

Over 4-1/2 years after the Alberton train derailment and chemical spill, Alberton spill victims finally get a public hearing—which includes a startling revelation. Pictured: Le Schutter with John Zeimet at the EPA Ombudsman Hearing on the Alberton Spill (2000)Autor: Ron Scholl

We conclude "War," as EPA Ombudsman Bob Martin continues his Alberton investigation, while dealing with EPA attempts to control his office. Meanwhile, Dr. Cynthia Lewis-Younger releases the results of her clinical evaluation, and the EPA makes plans to retest the environment around Alberton.Autor: Ron Scholl

ATSDR releases the results of its Phase 2 study, which, despite its limitations, documents chronic injury in Alberton spill victims. Meanwhile, the EPA declares war on the EPA National Ombudsman, Robert Martin, threatening his Alberton case. Pictured: Lucinda Hodges testifies at the EPA National Ombudsman hearing in Denver, 2000.…

While Roger Chalmers pursues his personal investigation into the Alberton chemical spill, EPA Ombudsman Robert Martin shares with ACCEH how his recent victory in the Denver Shattuck case can help with the Alberton case. But the Denver battle is only part of a larger war Martin faces with the EPA itself.…

In the summer of 1999, Dr. Kaye Kilburn releases the results of his follow-up neurological testing, and ATSDR sponsors a one-time clinical evaluation for Alberton spill victims. That summer, three Alberton area mothers finally get a meeting with a Sen. Max Baucus aide in Missoula, and while beseeching the senator’s help, vent their anger and frustr…

We begin Part 4, Light at the End of the Tunnel. Suffering from chronic illness and convinced the Alberton area is still contaminated, spill victims appeal to the EPA’s National Ombusdsman, who agrees to take on their case. Meanwhile, the CAG release their overdue Needs Assessment. Pictured: National EPA Ombudsman Robert Martin 2000 (video frame gr…

Over two years after the Alberton chemical spill, ATSDR releases the results from their initial health survey. Later that summer, in conjunction with a fundraiser for ACCEH, Hodges releases public information about safety problems on MRL’s rail line. Within weeks, her husband is brutally attacked. Pictured: health data from the ATSDR Phase 1 Survey…

ATSDR sets up a Community Advisory Group for Alberton spill victims, and a power struggle quickly develops between ACCEH and the new Mineral County Sanitarian, who becomes head of the CAG.Autor: Ron Scholl

Advocates for Alberton spill victims, Lisa Mosca and Hope Sieck take their video camera to the state capital of Helena, Montana, to interview Tom Ellerhoff, administrative officer for MT Department of Environmental Quality, who has oversight on the Alberton spill site remediation. The encounter leaves them in awe. Pictured: Tom Ellerhoff, MT DEQ (L…

Nineteen months after the Alberton derailment and toxic chemical spill, a Montana Rail Link runaway train running full speed downriver, threatens to derail near or in Missoula, and emergency authorities have no idea what cargo the train carries. Pictured: the pileup aftermath of MRL's Runaway Train. (screenshot from Lisa Mosca video footage)…

A year and a half after the spill, Alberton spill victims get their first meeting with ATSDR, and their first chance to vent complaints at a public meeting since their return home. But Lucinda Hodges and others are shocked to find that ATSDR has already planned an upcoming follow-up health study, without input from the residents. Pictured: Wayne Wa…

On the first anniversary of the spill, the spring thaw awakens toxic odors, and many Alberton-area residents experience a resurgence in their illness. Before some families give up and leave their homes, they attempt a protest against Montana Rail Link, in hopes of gaining publicity and awareness. Pictured: an Alberton spill protester (screen shot f…

As documents regarding the Alberton spill become available, Lucinda Hodges, Debra Griffin and Roger Chalmers scrutinize them for information to explain why they are still ill. Then in March of 1997, Hodges flees her Alberton home forever, as the spring thaw releases spill odors into the environment. Pictured: Lucinda Hodges at her Missoula trailer …

We begin Part III The Long Haul. As Lucinda Hodges and others try to live in a town that makes them sick, she reconstitutes ACE into ACCEH—the Alberton Community Coalition for Environmental Health—and begins a letter-writing campaign to government agencies to seek help. Pictured: ACCEH ad in the Missoulian at Christmas 1996.…

Despite removal of the contaminated soil, Lucinda Hodges and other spill victims are unable to tolerate returning to their Alberton area homes. Meanwhile, Dr. Kaye Kilburn plans a neurological study on the Alberton spill victims. Pictured: the Hodges' family home on Railroad Street in Alberton.Autor: Ron Scholl

Three weeks after residents are allowed back to Alberton, the contaminated soil is finally removed, and many people report being re-exposed during the removal. Meanwhile, some residents continue to stay away, afraid of returning home. Pictured: the potassium cresylate tank, staged in Missoula.Autor: Ron Scholl

While many residents complain of chemical exposures that make them ill upon returning home, health officials show no concern, claiming the area is safe. We also look at modeling withheld from residents, which shows how severely the Alberton area was exposed to chlorine during the spill. Pictured: map of 'bronzed' areas due to chlorine.…

Many residents returning home after the Alberton area is declared safe for reentry continue to report odors and illness. Pictured: map of the Alberton areaAutor: Ron Scholl

Many residents return to an environment and homes that make them ill, and begin to understand that chronic chemical sensitivity will follow them wherever they go. Pictured: the staged contaminated soil.Autor: Ron Scholl

After 17 days, Alberton is 'open for business', but many residents remain wary of returning to a home they fear is contaminated and threatens their health. Pictured: Tank Car 3, battered and finally empty.Autor: Ron Scholl

While officials still struggle with Tank Car 3 of liquid chlorine, they move forward with allowing residents to return home, despite a promise that the car would be completely empty. Pictured: aerial view of the wreck siteAutor: Ron Scholl

Officials declare two of the four criteria to allow reentry satisfied, with a 100% certainty that no chlorinated compounds migrated offsite, and the claim that the white dust was not harmful, even though officials say they cannot find any white dust to test. Pictured: Workers in SCBA near Tank 3 of chlorine.…

Untrusting of official reassurances for long-term health and for the safety of the Alberton area, and angry with attempts to shut down public questions at meetings, some residents band together to form ACE, the Alberton Community Evacuees. Pictured: the infamous white dust on the Kryszko family VCR, a dust Olympus claimed they couldn't find to samp…

The Techs struggle again and again to patch the leaking chlorine car, even as a big spike causes Forward Ops to evacuate. Meanwhile, officials at the evacuee meetings hold a vote on whether to allow public questions. Pictured: Evacuees vote NO on allowing public questions.Autor: Ron Scholl

Health officials consider the criteria for allowing eventual reentry for residents, and decide that hypersensitivity is not a concern. Pictured: the leaking chlorine tank and its leaky patch.Autor: Ron Scholl

Following the news that chlorinated chemicals were created in the mixing of chlorine and the potassium cresylate, over a week after the spill, the techs begin to tackle how to patch Car three, which continues to leak deadly chlorine gas. Pictured: Glen Giles gives her testimony at an evacuee meeting, as Lucinda Hodges looks on.…

Chemist Garon Smith and health officials determine the nature of chlorinated chemicals created in the mixing of chlorine and the potassium cresylate. This unwelcome news adds a new layer of concern for spill victims worried about their health and safety. Pictured: chlorinated compounds found by Smith.…

Officials continue to try and control the leaking tank of chlorine gas as well as open questions during the evacuee meetings. Pictured: the revealed breach in the chlorine tank, the largest in US railroad history.Autor: Ron Scholl

As the techs work on transferring chlorine, a rain bomb releases a fresh cloud of gas, sending the western roadblock scrambling to safety. Meanwhile, officials try to control open questions during the public evacuee meetings. Pictured: a lethal spike measured at over 1400 ppmAutor: Ron Scholl

Residents continue to question assurances of safety, concerned about their long-term health and the chemical smells in the Alberton area during visits. Pictured: decon station near the spill site (EPA photo)Autor: Ron Scholl

More residents push back against assurances of safety, increasingly concerned about their long-term health and the chemical smells in the Alberton area during visits. Pictured: Frenchtown Fire Station 5 near Petty Creek (Paul Manson photo)Autor: Ron Scholl

As the Techs consider how to tackle the remaining 60,000lbs of liquid chlorine in Car 3, health officials try to allay residents’ growing concerns about their health. Pictured: schematic for chlorine offloading.Autor: Ron Scholl

One last discovery is made three days after the spill: an entire neighborhood has been left behind in the Exclusion Zone. Pictured: Sawmill Gulch/Cyr to the SpillAutor: Ron Scholl

On Day 4 of the spill, the EPA finally has access to the spill site, in what becomes a day of disturbing discoveries. Pictured: the EPA at the spill site, investigating potassium cresylate in the ditch.Autor: Ron Scholl

In the early days of the Alberton chlorine spill, the Environmental Protection Agency is denied access to the spill site by incident command and Montana officials. But why? Pictured: Tim Murphy (MT SERC) and Jim Greene (MT DES)Autor: Ron Scholl

Residents visit the Exclusion Zone to feed or rescue animals left behind, with some reporting that the visit makes them ill. Pictured: Horses left behind in the Hot Zone, attended by responders.Autor: Ron Scholl

The night after the spill, people in the west end of the Evacuation zone complain of smells and symptoms, but they remain not evacuated. And while responders prepare for a long evacuation, residents grow concerned over animals left behind. Pictured: schematic of tank carsAutor: Ron Scholl

In the aftermath of the toxic crisis of April 11, responders take a breath to assess the day, and we take pause to evaluate the response. Pictured: Map of the Exclusion ZoneAutor: Ron Scholl

The Missoula Hazmat team finally enters the spill site, along with a team from MRL, who have already been there. Meanwhile, the gas still drifts, causing more late evacuations. Pictured: site illustration of tank carsAutor: Ron Scholl

The Missoula Hazmat team conducts a recon to find the spill site, still not knowing its location; meanwhile, the gas continues to expand to the east, prompting more evacuations. Pictured: gas cloud near Alberton, Montana.Autor: Ron Scholl

The conclusion of the initial evacuation of the Alberton area from a toxic chlorine gas release. Pictured: Cyr to FrenchtownAutor: Ron Scholl

A cloud of toxic gas overcomes the town of Alberton, Montana. Pictured: Spill to Petty CreekAutor: Ron Scholl

In the first hour of the spill, 911 is overwhelmed and emergency responders are sent to the wrong location. Pictured: Petty Creek to HusonAutor: Ron Scholl

We take a brief pause for some backstory. First, we drop in on a resident of Alberton, Lucinda Hodges, who has found a life for her family amid the history and beauty of western Montana—a life abruptly threatened by a chlorine gas cloud. We also examine how well responders are prepared for a worst-case scenario.…

The chemistry of liquid chlorine converting to a gas dictates how the gas spreads, and drivers on the highway are among the first to encounter the toxic cloud. Pictured: Jack Rabbit II test. Photograph courtesy Andrew Byrnes, Utah Valley University, 2016.Autor: Ron Scholl