Homeland Security looks at tougher rules for toxic rail cargoes
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation said they are examining the need for enhanced security requirements for rail transportation of hazardous materials that pose a toxic inhalation hazard.
'The two departments are seeking comments on the feasibility of initiating specific security enhancements and the potential costs and benefits of doing so,' DHS said in a statement.
Measures being considered include upgrading existing security plans, modifying methods used to identify shipments, enhanced requirements for temporary storage, better tank car integrity, and using tracking and communication systems.
'About 10 million tons of toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) materials are shipped by rail in the U.S. every year. While this is only a fraction of the 3.1 billion tons of hazardous materials shipped annually by all modes of transportation, a terrorist attack against the rail transportation of TIH materials in an urbanized area could endanger significant numbers of people,' Homeland Security said.
Public comments should be submitted by Oct. 18, via www.regulations.gov or http://dms.dot.gov .