ARE U.S. CHEMICAL PLANTS WORSE THAN CANADIAN ONES?

Last Sunday's New York Times carried an article titled "A Failure to Police Chemical Plants". That article spoke directly to U.S. chemical plants only and I found it interesting that no mention was made of *Responsible Care or the American equivalent of our CIAC (Chemical Industry Association of Canada). It is my understanding that the Canadian model was admired and adopted by a number of other countries around the world including the U.S.. While this posting is no blanket endorsement of the CIAC, nevertheless from my experiences here in Elmira, Ontario I have seen one excellent example of how a chemical company have improved their environmental and safety record through participation in *Responsible care and the CIAC (ie. SULCO/CCC). Unfortunately we also have the example here in Elmira of a company who have learned how to game the *Responsible Care program and that would be Chemtura Canada.

The New York Times article makes references to the explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas last April. 14 were killed and 200 injured is a shocking reminder of how dangerous these plants can be. There is also ongoing discussion of chemical plants switching to less dangerous alternatives. Whether the ammonium nitrate that exploded in Texas has any practical alternatives, I do not know. The other issue is the original siting of chemical plants around the country. It has long been established that the poor and racial minorities have far more chemical plants in their neighbourhoods than their better off neighbours. Only some of this can be chalked up to cheaper land in depressed neighbourhoods. Questionable by-laws and zoning can also ensure that the wealthier neighbourhoods never see or smell chemical factories in their towns and cities. The U.S. statistics are as follows; "Last year, 1,270 people died in more than 30,000 chemical spills and accidents.". The Times article concludes that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency needs to take action now with the authority it has rather than waiting for either industry or politicians to get their act together.