GASSED: The True Story of a Toxic Train Derailment

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.