Containing Risk

This article discusses innovative ways for transporting hazardous materials. Many materials classified as hazardous are not directly toxic to human beings, but represent risks to the environment. Hazardous materials include whiskey, contaminated soil, and motor oil. Researchers have found new insulating materials that will take up less room and still give the same thermal protection, or perhaps better. The project is investigating materials from companies that include Microthermal and Aspen Aerogels. Reducing the thickness of insulation material leaves space for new materials to add strength to the car. The shipper, the tank car maker, and the rail operator have joined forces for stronger cars, and now they have government support, too. Dow looks at alternative ways of doing business to reduce the need to ship hazardous materials. According to an expert, one solution, along these lines, brought about a safer way to handle one customer's shipments of acrolein.