A 25-ton bitumen truck overturns in the Pyrenees, on 12/07 in the Aspe Valley.

A bitumen truck overturns in the Pyrenees between Pau and Spain

The accident occurred in the Aspe valley, at the level of Sarrance, in the direction from Spain towards Pau.

In a curve, the bitumen truck hit a wall before lying across the road.

The bitumen, transported hot, then spread over the roadway.

The driver was slightly injured and taken to the hospital by emergency services.

Intervention by technological risk services

The accident required the intervention of 3 fire engines and 4 technological risk engines.

The main risk was pollution of the Gave d'Aspe, a tributary of the Gave d'Oloron.

The risk was eventually contained by the emergency services.

"Transported hot" products: dangerous goods of class 9

Unlike tar, bitumens are not classified as carcinogenic according to the CLP classification, although their vapors contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like pyrene or naphthalene.

For the record, tar comes from coal and bitumens from petroleum.

"Transported hot" products are categorized in class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

For hot transported liquids, 2 UN codes are used:

1- UN3256: 60°C < Flash point < Transport T° < 100°C

2- UN3257: 100°C < Transport T° < Flash point

If liquids have a flash point < 60°C, they are then included in class 3, flammable liquids.

For solids transported hot, the T° must be higher than or equal to 240°C. The used code is then UN3258

In this case, the truck was placarded with UN3257, the bitumens being transported around 170°-180°C.

For any hot transport, the truck must display the panel:

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Sources: FranceBleu, Radio France - LéoVidal-Giraud

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