Dangerous Chemicals Information

The largest category of inherently dangerous substances is toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) gases. According to the EPA just four TIH gases account for 55 percent of all categories of processes that threaten communities nationwide. They are:

anhydrous ammonia: 32.5% (8,343 processes)
chlorine: 18.3% (4,682 processes)
sulfur dioxide: 3% (768 processes)
hydrogen fluoride: 1.2% (315 processes)

These chemical processes deserve high priority because of their prevalent use at thousands of facilities, especially at high threat facilities. Fortunately, there are also widely available safer alternatives for each of them. For example, the Center for American Progress (CAP) conducted an analysis of EPA’s Risk Management Program data and identified 284 facilities that have converted since 1999.

Examples of conversions from these chemicals and continuing threats include:

• More than 200 water treatment facilities (including Washington, D.C.) converted to safer alternatives such as ultraviolet light, eliminating the use of chlorine and sulfur dioxide gas. But over 100 water treatment plants still threaten more than 100,000 people.

• Ninety-eight petroleum refineries use safer alternatives to hydrogen fluoride (HF). But 50 refineries still threaten millions of people with the use of HF.

• At least 36 electric power plants use safer alternatives to anhydrous ammonia gas such as dry urea. But 166 power plants still use anhydrous ammonia gas each threatening an average of 21,506 people.

While the CAP analysis proves the technological feasibility of safer alternatives, CAP estimates that at this rate of conversion, without any new regulatory requirements, it will take 45 years to eliminate hazards that pose the highest risk to America’s hometowns.

Get more information by visiting the Center for American Progress Web site. (new window)