More than 200 gallons vaporized into a toxic cloud. Five people were treated for minor injuries. Thousand-gallon tanks are a common sight around here in the spring and fall, when farmers fertilize their fields. Farm-supply stores rent hundreds of them to farmers who use special equipment to apply the ammonia under the soil. If it rains, a tank may be left unattended by the side of the road for a few days until the field dries out.
Anhydrous ammonia is both dangerous and inexpensive.
It is an essential ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, law enforcement officials say, and it is the only one that cannot easily be purchased over the counter. In Shelbyville, the general manager of the Lakeland FS farm-supply chain, said he and other fertilizer dealers are worried about the dangers to the community. It will burn your eyes, burn your skin. People have no idea what they're dealing with. They'll cut through fences and shoot out the lights.