Baltimore
– Today the Baltimore City Council unanimously
approved a resolution supporting the passage of federal chemical plant security
legislation that requires the incorporation of safer and more secure technologies in the
manufacture, transport, storage or use of chemicals when feasible.
“I am introducing this resolution to protect against the
unnecessary toxic threats in our communities. This resolution urges Congress to
pass comprehensive legislation that makes chemical plants safer and more secure
by replacing toxic chemicals with available and feasible safer alternatives,”
said City Council Vice President Robert Curran.
Chemical facilities with large
stockpiles of toxic chemicals threaten thousands of communities across the
country. An accident or terrorist attack at one of these facilities could kill
or seriously injure many people. In 2001, a railway fire involving toxic
chemicals in the tunnel under Howard
Street shut down Baltimore City.
At least 22 people, including two firefighters were injured. Among the most
dangerous chemicals on the train was fluorosalicic acid, a chemical that, in
its concentrated form, it can cause severe burns to skin, lungs, nose and
throat.
Many companies have already adopted technologies to
eliminate the toxic chemical threat from their facilities. For example, shortly after 9/11, the Blue
Plains wastewater treatment facility in Washington,
DC replaced dangerous chlorine
gas, a chemical weapon used during World War I, with safer sodium bisulfite,
and eliminated the risk to more than 1.7 million nearby residents. Similar measures have been implemented at some
of the nation’s oil refineries, electric power plants, chemical manufacturers
and fertilizer companies. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of chemical
plants continue to conduct their dangerous business as usual.
“Chemical facilities in Baltimore endanger the health and safety of their workers and communities by
relying on dangerous toxic chemicals,” said Maryland PIRG policy advocate
Johanna Neumann.
In the last Congress, the House
Homeland Security Committee unanimously approved the Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 (H.R. 5695) – a bill that would have required the
most dangerous chemical plants to replace toxic chemicals with available safer
alternatives. The Baltimore City Council resolution will be sent to all members
of Congress to encourage them to act on similar legislation this year.
