|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
 |
 |
    |
|
|
|||
 |
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Threat Assessment: Chemical Plant Attack Could Hurt 2.4 Million A terrorist attack on a toxic chemical plant in a densely populated area could result in up to 2.4 million casualties, according to an October study by the U.S. Army surgeon general (see GSN, March 8). The number, previously not publicly disclosed, is twice as high as earlier estimates, the Washington Post reported today. The Army report places even mid-range casualty figures at more than 900,000 people. The data is more illustrative rather than an exact casualty projection, Army surgeon general spokeswoman Lyn Kukral said. The United States used the numbers last fall to plan contingency medical responses, however, officials said. The Environmental Protection Agency last year reported that at least 123 U.S. chemical plants contain enough chemicals that they could each result in 1 million casualties (see GSN, Dec. 17, 2001). NRDC Files Lawsuit Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday saying the Justice Department did not submit a required report to Congress on chemical plants’ security against terrorism. The department missed a 2000 deadline for filing an interim report, required by an amendment to the Clean Air Act, and Bush administration officials have said they will miss an August deadline for a final report because of lack of funds. “Chemical plants are an incredibly urgent priority for homeland security, but they are being ignored at the highest levels of government,” said NRDC attorney Rena Steinzor. Chemical Plants Safe, Industry Says The chemical industry is “one of the safest manufacturing sectors in America,” said Chris VandenHeuvel, spokesman for the American Chemistry Council. The industry is doing “everything feasible to make the facilities as safe and secure as possible,” he said. The council issued guidelines last fall on ways to improve physical security at plants and protect transportation systems. The council recently required its members to complete security studies and make necessary changes (Eric Pianin, Washington Post, March 12).
| ||||||||||
Back to top
