GASSED: The True Story of a Toxic Train Derailment

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 frustration.

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 grab, RL Scholl)

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.

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 (Lisa Mosca video screen grab)

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 Wasser speaks up at the ATSDR public meeting

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 from Lisa Mosca)

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 home. (Screen shot from Lisa Mosca video)

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.

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.

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 area

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.

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.

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 site

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 sample.

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.

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.

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.

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 ppm