U.S. Revises Rules for Controlled Chemicals

The U.S. Homeland Security Department published updated regulations Tuesday for facilities that produce, use, store or distribute substances that could be used in chemical weapons, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported (see GSN, Nov. 2).

The first draft of the Chemical Facility Antiterrorism Standards, or CFATS, came under criticism from universities and other organizations when the rules were released in April. 

The regulations call on groups and companies holding specified quantities of any of “chemicals of interest” on a list of 300 substances to report the types and quantities of the chemicals held within 60 days.

“The goal is to strengthen security at chemical facilities across the country,” said Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa.

Federal agents can request risk assessments and security plans for facilities they deem to be insufficiently secure.

Failing to meet the 60-day deadline would lead to first to a written reprimand, then fines of $25,000 a day and finally to closure of the facility in question.

“I understand the reasoning,” said Madelyn Miller, Carnegie Mellon University’s environmental health and safety director.  “They think that someone could walk around with a bucket and collect enough chemicals to sabotage some target.”

“I think realistically that's pretty difficult, given the rarity of these chemicals at this university, (but) all universities are open, so there's a possibility of someone walking in” (Chris Togneri, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Nov. 21).

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