"CHEMTURA FINED $150,000"

The above title is quoted from the May 15, 2012 Woolwich Observer. The $150,000 fine is but one of many that Uniroyal, Crompton and Chemtura have ben forced to pay over the decades. In my opinion they have viewed those fines not as shameful but as simply the cost of doing business. This particular fine was for the release of BLE-25 from a pressure vessel that sent its contents up a stack and into the air after the rupture disk in the pressure vessel let go. This rupture disk is an intentional fail safe somewhat akin to a shear pin on an outboard boat motor. Its breakage is far better than the alternative which is a far larger, more costly breakage or explosion in the case of a pressure vessel. Allegedly there were no health issues but certainly inhaling a mixture of acetone and diphenylamine isn't good for anyone. On the positive side Chemtura did spend a lot of time and money and to the best of my knowledge did do a good job cleaning cars, houses and outdoor equipment all around Elmira afterwards.