Multiple fire departments and Maine DEP responded to reports of rail cars venting in Hermon Wednesday morning.
Officials say this is supposed to happen on hot days as the contents of the tanks are refrigerated.
The DEP says the CO-2 that was released from the cars is generally harmless.
Crews responded to make sure the tanks were not leaking and that there was no risk to the public.
”They are all offgassing which is a normal procedure on a day like today when it’s this hot. The contents of all the cars is refrigerated carbon dioxide. So, in a case like this, our main concern is oxygen suppression in and around the cars. We’ve monitored for that and there is none, which right now means there isn’t a significant risk to the public,” explained Darian Higgins, Oil and Hazardous Materials Responder, Maine DEP.
The railroad was made aware of the situation.