The Need to Reduce Risks Demonstrated - August 19, 2002 Vol. 3 No. 17

August 19, 2002 Vol. 3 No. 17:

Published: 08/19/2002

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The Need to Reduce Risks Demonstrated

A recent chemical accident reinforced the importance of Sen. Jon Corzine’s (D-NJ) pending legislation, the Chemical Security Act (S.1602). In Crystal City, MO, a hose used to remove chlorine from freight cars ruptured creating a toxic cloud that sickened dozens. The leak began around 9:30 in the morning on August 14, 2002 and was stopped around noon.

Even though light wind and steady rain kept the cloud from spreading beyond the relatively sparsely populated area near the leak, hundreds of people were evacuated and over 50 people were treated for exposure.

The company that had the spill, DPC Enterprises, packages chlorine into canisters for use in water-treatment. It was reported that the facility had another chlorine accident in January 1999, when a 2,000-pound canister of chlorine burst after being dropped from a crane.

Under Corzine’s bill, chemical plants must submit plans to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showing how they will address their vulnerabilities. One of the primary aims of the bill is to reduce or remove risks at chemical plants to make them safer, not just from terrorists, but also in the case of a “standard” accident. This could rely on substituting safer chemicals or storing smaller quantities of hazardous chemicals on site.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed the bill at the end of July. The bill now waits for consideration by the full Senate and may be offered as an amendment to the Senate’s National Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism Act of 2002 (S. 2452), which would create a cabinet level Department of Homeland Security.