Railroads will now use a safety measure for hazardous materials that was part of legislation authored by two members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.
Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Donald Norcross, both Democrats, proposed the legislation in the wake of the 2012 Conrail derailment in Paulsboro.
The accident released thousands of gallons of vinyl chloride, a gas linked to respiratory problems, dizziness and death, into the air.
More than 200 homes in the industrial town across the Delaware River from Philadelphia International Airport were evacuated.
Menendez, Norcross and Democratic Sen. Cory Booker announced Tuesday the railroads will voluntarily implement federal emergency guidelines for hazmat safety.
Federal investigators found Conrail used emergency information that didn't specify how wide an area should be initially evacuated after a vinyl chloride release without fire. [[238427591, C]]
