NYT: Citing Security, ("tiny fraction of") Plants Use Safer Chemicals

[DeepModem Mom]

Citing Security, Plants Use Safer Chemicals
By ERIC LIPTON
Published: April 25, 2006

WASHINGTON, April 24 — At least 225 industrial plants in this country have switched to using less dangerous chemicals since the 2001 terrorist attacks, lowering the risk that people nearby would be injured or killed by toxic plumes, a new study has found.

While these plants represent only a tiny fraction of the estimated 14,000 nationwide that store or use large quantities of extremely hazardous substances, environmentalists nonetheless cite their efforts as proof that companies and utilities can and should make the switch.

“It demonstrates what is possible with a concerted national effort,” said Paul Orum, the author of the report, “Preventing Toxic Terrorism,” which is being published Tuesday by the Center for American Progress, a liberal research and advocacy group.

The plants have often undertaken the changes with little public attention, as happened at Blue Water Pool Chemical. The company, near the airport in Scottsdale, Ariz., no longer uses chlorine gas, which is extremely hazardous, reducing the risk to an estimated 8,300 people....

***

Congress is debating legislation that may accelerate this process, although there is disagreement over how much pressure should be imposed on plant owners. A bill introduced by Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, would give plant owners the option of replacing chemicals as a way to improve security, while a separate bill introduced by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey, would require certain plants to use safer technology if it was considered practical....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/25/washington/25plant.html