Causes of Agricultural Chemical SpillsDepartment of Agriculture

Anhydrous AmmoniaQuick coupler failure.Failure of excess flow valve.Unseated valves.Pressure release valves.Theft & Vandalism.

AA Quick Coupler FailureNurse tank hitch problems.Maintenance important.

Other AA Causes of Releases Temperature variations cause valves to unseat.Pressure release valves.Theft and vandalism.

Transportation AccidentsBrake failure.Applicator entered ditch.Sump ruptured releasing load.

Transportation AccidentsCorner taken to fast.Truck tipped over in ditch releasing dry fertilizer.Note cleanup where fertilizer once was.

Transportation AccidentsTruck tip over.3,000 gallons UAN and gallons of Harness.Into ditch and field.

Transportation Accidents110 yards excavated.Buried facilities in ditch.

Transportation AccidentsFlatbed truck hauling 4-1300 gallon tanks.Entered driveway and dropped wheels into ditch.2,000 gallons UAN lost to ditch.

Transportation AccidentsUnderground facilities present.Sandy soils.Excavation required.

ContainmentHose on N-Serve pump left outside dike.Product siphoned out of minibulk and outside of dike.

UnknownAlleged dumping of rinsate.Soil tested high in acetochlor and other herbicides.

Applicator Hose FailureSmall release of Liberty tankmix.Damage to trees and lawn.

DumpingDumping of water without knowing that it contained some fertilizer.

Mobile Tender Tank FailureOlder Raven yellow bodied tanks with white caps.Sloshing action of liquid fertilizer blows out white cap.

Storage Tank Failure

Storage Tank FailureSmall hole in base of tank.Small release over long period of time.Source of groundwater contamination.

Storage Tank FailureVandalism. Tube gauge cut and valve jammed open.5,000 gallons 7-21-7 released to containment.

Other Bulk Storage Causes.Manhole cover gasket not installed correctly.Site gauge damaged and valve not shut completely.Extreme cold cracks piping.Undiscovered mild steel appurtanance corroding through.Old rusting bulk tank.

Unsecured loads.Minibulk hose siphoning herbicide along highway.Pumps left on or accidentally engaged releasing product.

Fertilizer applicator drive-wheel engaging.

Delivery Responsibility.Semi truck delivery of UAN to bulk tank.Pump turned on without opening bulk valving.800 gallon release.

Improper Storage.Valve on minibulk left slightly open.Parked overnight near bulk containment.40 gallons Prowl leached down outside concrete containment.

Improper Storage

Acts of NatureComfrey Tornado.Debris broke off pressure relief valving.

We used to see..These types of spills rarely occur.Now..Mild steel plumbing on fertilizer bulk tanks causing spills.

We used to see..Spills occurring during transport.We still see....Spills occurring during transport.

We will see..Vandalism. Especially with anhydrous ammonia facilities.

Improperly secured loadThe chance of spills can be reduced.

The Anhydrous Ammonia Meth ProcessDrug Enforcement Administration-Video.Ammonia added to processed ephedrine and lithium (battery).

Imagine garden hoses duct tape and an igloo cooler