News Releases

On First Anniversary of Investigation, Board Releases Data on 167 Serious Reactive Incidents

Nov 17, 2003

Washington, DC - September 17, 2003 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released detailed information on the 167 serious chemical incidents analyzed in the agency's landmark 2002 study on reactive hazards, marking the first anniversary of the Board's vote for broad new initiatives to control the dangers from uncontrolled chemical reactions. The incidents covered are fires, explosions, toxic gas releases or other events where uncontrolled chemical reactions resulted in deaths, injuries, or damage, or had the potential to do so. All the incidents occurred in the U.S. between 1980 and 2001; together they were responsible for 108 deaths and numerous injuries. Following completion of the reactive study in September 2002, agency staff went back and reviewed information on each incident to ensure that it met criteria for public release.

CSB Investigators Find Likely Source of Dust Explosion at Indiana Automotive Plant

Nov 05, 2003

(Huntington, Indiana - November 5, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) have determined that last week's fatal accident at the Hayes Lemmerz automotive parts plant here likely involved an explosion of aluminum dust that originated near an aluminum chip melting furnace.

CSB Team Heading to Site of Explosions at Indiana Automotive Parts Factory

Oct 30, 2003

(Washington, DC - October 30, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are en route to the site of a series of explosions Wednesday night at the Hayes Lemmerz aluminum wheel casting plant in Huntington, Indiana, near Fort Wayne.

CSB Case Study Cites Deficient Management Systems, Inadequate Safeguards in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, Explosion and Fire

Oct 29, 2003

Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that an explosion and fire at Catalyst Systems Inc. in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, last January most likely occurred when 200 pounds of benzoyl peroxide in a vacuum dryer rapidly decomposed. The runaway chemical reaction produced large volumes of gas under high pressure.

Investigators Present Final Report On First Chemical Corp. Explosion - Cite Inadequate Safety Systems, Lack of Warning Devices

Oct 15, 2003

Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 15, 2003 - Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that the October 2002 plant explosion here occurred because First Chemical Corporation had not effectively evaluated the hazards of a chemical process that ran out of control. The blast blew the top off a distillation tower that was approximately 145 feet tall and propelled tons of fiery debris in the air, raining down onto adjacent industrial facilities and narrowly missing nearby hazardous chemical tanks.

Investigators Present Final Report On First Chemical Corp. Explosion - Cite Inadequate Safety Systems, Lack of Warning Devices

Oct 15, 2003

(Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 15, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that the October 2002 plant explosion here occurred because First Chemical Corporation had not effectively evaluated the hazards of a chemical process that ran out of control. The blast blew the top off a distillation tower that was approximately 145 feet tall and propelled tons of fiery debris in the air, raining down onto adjacent industrial facilities and narrowly missing nearby hazardous chemical tanks.

CSB Issues Final Report On Chelsea Building Explosion, Calls On New York City To Strengthen Fire Code

Sep 30, 2003

(New York City - September 30, 2003) The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today recommended that New York City modernize its 85-year-old municipal fire code, concluding that a stronger code and better inspections might have prevented last year's building explosion in Chelsea. That blast on April 25, 2002, injured 36 people, including 14 members of the public and six firefighters.

CSB Investigating Three Recent Chemical Incidents at Honeywell Baton Rouge Plant

Sep 29, 2003

(Washington, DC - September 29, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are now examining three separate incidents that occurred in July and August at the Honeywell Specialty Materials Plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. These incidents impacted employees, the neighboring community, and the environment.

Board Investigators Returning to Site of Recent Gas Explosion near Dayton, Ohio

Sep 29, 2003

(Washington, DC - September 29, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are returning today to the site of last week's violent explosion at the Isotec chemical manufacturing plant in Miamisburg, Ohio, southwest of Dayton. The explosion ruptured a carbon monoxide pipe and ignited the gas, prompting a precautionary evacuation that affected about 2000 residents within a mile of the plant. CSB lead investigator John Vorderbrueggen and Board member John Bresland were en route back to the site and were expected to meet with concerned citizens today. The effectiveness of the emergency response and the evacuation order are important issues in the case, investigators say.

Board Votes 5-0 to Approve Reports in BLSR, Environmental Enterprises Cases

Sep 17, 2003

(Washington, DC, September 17, 2003) The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) unanimously approved two investigation reports in a public meeting today Washington, concluding that last January's deadly fire at an oilfield waste disposal facility south of Houston could have been avoided if the companies involved had safer procedures for handling flammable wastes.

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