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West Coast chemical emergencies raise questions about the safety of massive industrial tanks
- A tank containing corrosive chemical at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. ruptured on Tuesday in Longview, Washington, killing two and possibly nine others. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board opened an investigation on Wednesday.
- The Washington rupture occurred amid a broader crisis on the West Coast, where late last week about 50,000 residents evacuated Southern California after an overheated chemical tank threatened a catastrophic explosion.
- Authorities said they don't yet know how old the ruptured tank was or how recently its valves were replaced, while Nippon Dynawave had been subject to two prior state labor investigations and experienced fires in recent years.
- State agencies in Washington and California, along with local fire marshals, oversaw safety at both facilities, said Marissa Baker, associate professor at University of Washington, Department of Environmental & Occupational Sciences, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency participated in response.
- Federal regulators require facilities to maintain detailed hazard documentation and increase inspections after tanks reach 10 years old, though chemical tank failures remain rare at about 1 per 1 million tanks annually.
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48 Articles
48 Articles
Longview and California chemical emergencies raise questions about the safety of massive industrial tanks
There are millions of chemical tanks around the U.S., and experts say it is exceedingly rare for them to fail as long as they are properly maintained and inspected.
·Portland, United States
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Industrial Tank Safety Concerns Heightened by Recent West Coast Incidents
Recent hazardous chemical incidents on the West Coast emphasize the importance of stringent safety measures for industrial tanks. Authorities are probing the incidents as questions arise on regulatory responsibilities across different levels of government. Experts agree on the rarity of failures but insist on regular maintenance and inspections.
·India
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West Coast chemical emergencies raise questions about safety of massive industrial tanks - The Boston Globe
There are millions of chemical tanks around the U.S., and experts say it is exceedingly rare for them to fail as long as they are properly maintained and inspected.
·Boston, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources48
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center33Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 18%
C 75%
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