As railroad officials investigate, lawsuits over styrene leak seek millions [Video]

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating a styrene leak that forced evacuations in the southwest corner of Hamilton County, but an outcome could take months.

County officials have said a failed stabilizer is the likely cause of the Sept. 24 styrene leak from a rail car on U.S. 50 near Kilby Road. The leak forced evacuations within a half-mile radius and closed schools and businesses for more than 24 hours.

While the leak coming from the train car appeared to be a gas, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences listed styrene as a colorless, flammable liquid used to make plastics and rubber that is highly volatile.

Public records obtained by the WCPO 9 I-Team show how potentially dangerous the leak could have been. On the day of the mishap, the Federal Emergency Management Agency told Hamilton County officials that an explosion could kill 227 people …