El Paso County and the county Health Department have released information about the effects of exposure to hydrochloric acid on people and pets.

General Public Health - Exposure Concerns

It is important to remember that the workzone is still considered off-limits. Residents are restricted from entering the area as a safety precaution. Please explain the potential risks carefully to all children, as they may be curious and want to investigate the site.

Trespassing in the accident/work area is strictly prohibited as is trespassing on railroad right of way at any time.

Cleanup activities are not yet complete so you may see people working on the cleanup. It is possible that you may smell hydrochloric acid because it can be smelled at very low levels. Just because you can smell it does not mean that you will be harmed. Hydrochloric acid has good warning properties that enable it to be smelled at levels that are much lower than levels that are harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the air safe?
Air monitoring results indicate that the air is safe.

2. Is my drinking water safe?
Yes. The hydrochloric acid that spilled on the ground has been neutralized and will not affect your drinking water.

3. Is my food safe?
There was no power outage so your food should be safe. Food in sealed containers left out on the table should not have been affected by the spill, but, of course, use common sense regarding whether food left out at room temperature for a long period of time should be eaten.

4. What about my pet?
Based on the air monitoring data collected, your pets should not have been affected by the spill. However, if you have any concerns, you can contact your veterinarian.

5. What if I smell an odor in my home?
Hydrochloric acid has a chlorine-type odor that smells like a swimming pool and can be smelled at low levels that do not cause health effects.
If you smell an odor, you can open windows and air out your home. You can also call the following phone number, and request air testing be conducted in your home. There is NO charge for this.

For air testing in your home call: Megan McQueen at 501-733-9530.

General information for persons who have been exposed to hydrogen chloride gas or hydrochloric acid solution.

What are hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid?
Hydrogen chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow gas with a sharp, irritating odor. It forms a dense white vapor when it comes in contact with air. When hydrogen chloride dissolves in water, it forms hydrochloric acid also known as muriatic acid. Both hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are corrosive and may cause burns on contact. Hydrogen chloride is not flammable.

What immediate health effects can be caused by exposure to these chemicals?
Hydrogen chloride gas can irritate the lungs, causing a cough and shortness of breath. Breathing high levels of the gas or vapor can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs, which may cause death.

Because hydrochloric acid is corrosive, it can cause eye damage, even blindness, if splashed in the eyes. Skin contact can cause severe burns. Ingestion of concentrated hydrochloric acid can cause severe injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Generally, the more serious the exposure, the more severe the symptoms.

Can hydrogen chloride or hydrochloric acid overexposure be treated?
There is no antidote for poisoning due to these substances, but their effects can be treated and most exposed persons get well. People who have had serious exposures may need to be hospitalized.

Are any future health effects likely to occur?
A single, small exposure from which a person recovers quickly is not likely to cause delayed or long-term effects. Patients who breath a large amount of hydrogen chloride may develop permanent lung injury. If hydrochloric acid was swallowed, a patient may permanently have trouble swallowing.

What tests can be done if a person has been exposed to hydrogen chloride?
Specific tests for the presence of hydrogen chloride in blood or urine generally are not useful to the doctor. If a severe exposure has occurred, blood and urine analyses and other tests may show whether the lungs or stomach has been injured. Testing is not needed in every case.

Where can more information about hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid be found?
More information about hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid can be obtained from your regional poison control center; your state, county, or local health department; the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); your doctor; or a clinic in your area that specializes in occupational and environmental health. If the exposure happened at work, you may wish to discuss it with your employer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Ask the person who gave you this form for help in locating these telephone numbers.

El Paso County Public Health recommends calling the toll-free Public Health hotline at 1-877-462-2911. Information is provided in both English and Spanish languages.

Public Health Department information about pets:

Public Health has not received any reports of illness among residents of the neighborhood adjacent to where the train was stopped. However, many homeowners had to leave their pets in their homes at the time of the evacuation. We are providing this information to veterinarians help address concerns from pet owners.

Inhalation is the route of exposure of most concern from this incident. Health effects in pets are similar to those in humans. HCL gas is intensely irritating to the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract.

Pets with significant exposure can show signs or symptoms of cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, gagging, retching, or vomiting. Animals with an abnormal pulmonary exam should have a CXR performed to evaluate for pulmonary edema. Treatment is supportive based on extent of pulmonary symptoms.

In the unusual situation of HCL ingestion, superficial but severe burns can occur in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. The HCL leak in Monument is very small and health effects in pets are expected to be relatively minimal. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the health effects of HCL inhalation are usually immediate but could occur up to 24 hours after exposure.

General information regarding HCL exposure is available through the Colorado toll-free, public health hotline (COHELP) at 877-
462-2911.