I'm wondering if anyone lives near a chemical plant. I realized that I'm much closer to one than I thought... Any suggestions as to bug out plans, danger signs (not obvious ones, of course...) to look for, please?

I've got an ELF Atochem about ~1 mile or so from me, with the chemical holding tanks right next to a busy railroad (not kidding). They claim to not be using much chemically reactive processes, mostly oil and water based materials. Didn't name any dangerous chemicals like they do in ELF's Michigan and Kentucky plants...

Thanks!

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 22, 1999

Answers

Deb, I numbers I remember say 66 million Americans live within five miles of a chemical plant. I recently learned that our county's Emergency Management Agency knows that our county has 54 plants that handle HAZARDOUS chemicals; half of these are water treatment plants with chlorine on hand. There's an EPA site where you can plug in your zip code and get a list of all the sites in your area. I'll try to post it here tomorrow. In the meantime, you might call your local EMA. Ask them what they know about the status of the local sites that handle hazardous chemicals. They'll tell you, of course, that none of them "expect" any problems. Then ask whether the agency has sent a list of the hazardous chemicals and their locations to area hospitals' directors of emergency medicine. They won't have; but if they're like mine, they may see it as a reasonable idea if you ask as a concerned and reasonable citizen who is just trying to help your neighbors out.

In addition to the county's 54 hazmat sites, we also host a nuke plant. Please let the pollies be right; please let the pollies be right . . .

See the prep archives for good tips on a bug out bag, and have some idea where you'd go, how you'd get there.

I wish you well.

-- Faith Weaver (suzsolutions@yahoo.com), November 22, 1999.

get ahold of your local Office of Emergency management ASAP--as in tomorrow!!!! Ask for "Right to Know: (RTK) paperwork on the plant-- a copy is in each PD, Fire Dept, and OEM office.

-- RJ (LtPita@aol.com), November 22, 1999.

I live within 500 feet of a chemical plant. I went to a block meeting last summer, they said they store formaldahyde (hope i spelled it right) also they said they would be ready by november 1999. I should be scared, but i am not, on the lighter side, I'd be the first to go. This plant also has a railroad right behind the place. Can someone list the site by link that I can plug in my zipcode? thank you

-- tis me (no@aol.com), November 22, 1999.

Try this page:

Risk Management Plan Query

Search facilities in your neighborhood that have toxic substances, like anhydrous ammonia, over the reportable threshold.

-- Cherokee (Cherokee@qtmail.com), November 22, 1999.

www.epa.gov/enviro/zipcode_is.html

this list ALL storage facilties, plants, gas stations, super americas' etc that has anything hazardous in your zip code.

-- bob brock (bb@myhouse.com), November 22, 1999.

Bob, do you have a better link? this one did not work, thank you for all your help

-- tis me (no@aol.com), November 22, 1999.

Faith:

I am not what would generally be catergorized as a "polly." I base my doomer-light (6-7) view on my experience with management, and computer projects (ugghh!) which have never been on time, on budget or performed the miracles that were promised. I have been warning about the problems with chemical plants since I have posted. This is based on personal experience in a smaller operation (not fortune 500) and the general procedures and resources. Having also worked with nuclear power this is the lowest area of my concern.

By the way Deb you might try the Columbus offices of OSHA or the nearest fire department to see if they have a hazardous chemicals list for that site (probably required after that resin plant blew up last year and fire fighters wer sort of clueless as to what they were facing). Also you might try calling the plant and contacting the safety coordinator or manager. Some chemicals are stored in tanks because of the quantity but may be more an irritant than hazardous. You are upwind so yell really loud if you smell something noxious heading our way.

-- squid (Itsdark@down.here), November 22, 1999.

Deb- this link may be a lot easier to use and it shows the number of times the plant has been involved in any reported incident in the last five years. Not all plants are in here but there are a bunch. Cheers, AGF

http://www.rtk.net/rmplist.html

-- drac (greenspanisgod@frb.giov), November 22, 1999.

Deb, I live in a smallish town in Sonoma Co. our Waste Treatment Facility stores 18,000 lbs of chlorine. I have been trying to find out info regarding chemical plants near our home. This post has helped a great deal. The following was listed when I was checking on worst case senarios. I guess its just another little something the average joe shouldn't be concerned about.

Offsite Consequence Analysis (OCA) Data Availability

Information about offsite consequences related to worse case and alternative release scenarios (Sections 2-5) will not be posted on the Internet. The federal government is currently working to determine a process for making this information available. As soon as a process is developed, information about that process will be posted on this page.

Just Typical .gov bs

-- :-( (karlacalif@aol.com), November 22, 1999.

"...By the way Deb...You are upwind so yell really loud if you smell something noxious heading our way."

-- squid (Itsdark@down.here), November 22, 1999.

Squid,

Dear, you'll definitely hear me, I've gotta GOOD set of lungs! I'll climb to the top of St. Mark's Lutheran church and ring the darn bell myself if I have too.

BTW, more good news for Central Ohioans - Delaware has another couple of hi-grade winners. Not only do I have ELF Atochem nearby, but I've also got PPG Industries and Flxible Corp within 5 miles. I've got loads of chem names & CSA (?) numbers to research now...

Anybody got gas masks for sale, cheap?

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 22, 1999.

Just try this URL, it has a link directly to the zipcode search - it brought up WAY more than I wanted to know about pollution!

http://www.epa.gov/

Also, Brian (I owe you big-time sir!) gave a tremendous amount of chemical links in an earlier post today. Please see the thread "Does anyone have chemical links?" posted 11/22.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 22, 1999.

well, how about that ... http://www.epa.gov/enviro/zipcode_js.html was working for quite sometime, now its gone.

-- Dan G (earth_changes@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

you can go to the epa site from a link at garynorth.com/y2k/detail_.cfm/5898

I hope you are familiar with gary norths site. If not, you have a lot of links to look thru for the next 39 days. BEST SITe THERE IS!!!!

-- bob brock (bb@myhouse.com), November 22, 1999.

Dan G you're right, I tried to get there again and the link is broken. hmmmmm.

-- bob brock (bb@myhouse.com), November 22, 1999.

There is an industrial safety store in Worthington that should have masks should you be so inclined, I'll try to get you the name (used to be Shoes and Gloves). On the web I have also purchased (industrial) from Lab Safety Supply they should have a web sight and a pretty comprehensive list. The trick is that you need to match the filter cartridge to the exposure (get that list). I say get the silicone, more expensive but worth every penny if you have to actually wear it for a length of time. You end up with that silly looking ring around your face.

I live further out (thank heavens) but then you'll be closer to the MALL :-) .

-- squid (Itsdarker@down.here), November 23, 1999.