Commuting is a gas- literally!!
 

I thought traffic was heavier than normal when trying to cross Rt 66/SH 33 on my way home. Found out why- http://www.newson6.com/story/1632485...e-near-sapulpa.

And of course, my route is in that evac zone. AND it was wet outside.

Anyone got any idea what kind of things I should looking for if I happened to have been exposed??

You don't need to look for anything. What I get from the article is that it was carrying a concentrated HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) which can release gasses and cause some damage to soft tissue of the body. (One of the more acidic acids, and in high concentrations can be quite dangerous.) HCl is a component of your stomach acid, along with Potassium Chloride and Sodium Chloride. Also, it looks as if the roads were wet which would have diluted the chemical when it mixed with water. (The article falsely states that HCl releases a gas when it comes in contact with water, this if very very false...HCl is a mixture of Hydrogen Chloride in solution with H2O, concentrated HCl becomes diluted HCl when it comes in contact with water...which is actually very good.) If you don't have any signs of burns at this point, you will be fine.

Fumes were the main issue, but it doesn't seem like you should be worried. You're still breathing so you're probably fine.

Edit: I would like to add that this looks a lot like a case of "small town making a big deal out of something almost exciting..."

A little hydrochloric acid spill and they shut down the turnpike. Those cagers are such pansies.

If you seriously think you were exposed to noxious gases I would not trust responses in an internet forum for practical advice. I would contact either my GP, a clinic or a state agency assigned to deal with chemical spills and public exposure.

My guess is the precautions and warnings are probably pretty extreme in order to underline the seriousness of true exposure but the reality may be that the risk of actual exposure, which would result in a health risk, is pretty low. But that's my guess. I'm just some guy in BF's- I wouldn't even trust my advice on this one!

If it was HCL that was spilled, you would know if you were in any danger. It's not a toxin that can build up in your system or anything like that. There would be a very distinct and painful burning.

It might do very bad things to your bike though.

Did you have involuntary coughing? If not, stop worrying.

Yeah, if you didn't feel any burning or itching you're probably fine. Here's a material safety data sheet for concentrated HCl.

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924285

Thanks for the link.

News media was reporting that mixing HCl with water would create a toxic gas. Don't know if they dropped the ball on that bit of misinformation or were instructed to run with it.

It was probably some classified government experiment gone awry and HCl was just there cover story. Let us know if you develop paranormal abilities or all the dogs in the city run away or 95% of the local population dies or something.

In addition to the above, you might also pay attention to see if they start constructing a giant wall to keep people "out"