Bernie Starceski (left) raises concerns to Virgil Fowler, chairman of Augusta Richmond County Local Emergency Planning Committee and manager of safety and loss Prevention at PCS Nitrogen, at a risk management conference Thursday. JEFF JANOWSKI/STAFF

Public sees worst-case scenarios

Web posted January 21, 2000

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By Robert Pavey
Staff Writer

Changing markets, new technology and better safety programs have reduced the potential for chemical spills in Richmond County, according to several major users of toxic materials.

Rutgers Organics, which added a chlorine facility two years ago to make raw materials for pharmaceuticals, recently discontinued the program, plant manager Danny Burns said.

``Unless new business is secured, there will be no chlorine here for two or more years,'' he said.

The addition of chlorine at the plant had fanned safety concerns for nearby Cross Creek High School. The chlorine tanks are now empty.

Rutgers Organics was among 14 industries that participated Thursday in a risk management program at Julian Smith Casino, during which information about worst-case accident scenarios was available to the public.

For some companies, such as DSM Chemicals, a ``worst-case'' spill could force a lethal plume of ammonia or oleum as far as seven miles.

Although frightening, such worst-case situations rarely occur and are almost impossible. But the information is required to comply with federal laws designed to inform residents about chemicals in their communities.

The companies also offered ``alternative case'' scenarios illustrating the types of accidents that could actually occur here. Those scenarios typically predict no impacts outside plant boundaries.

The program Thursday was Richmond County's second. Ten industries published risk management plans and accident scenarios in 1997.

Ron Mysona, production manager at BP Amoco Polymers -- a major user of sulfur trioxide -- said his plant's accident scenarios were modified since the first forecasts were made two years ago.

Because of enhanced safety systems and investments in better monitoring equipment, the magnitude of alternative case accidents has been reduced about 50 percent. ``We're pleased with that,'' he said.

And International Paper Co.'s sprawling mill recently eliminated 99 percent of the toxic chlorine traditionally used in its bleaching process, said Dan Leonard, the plant's safety director.

The plant previously piped in chlorine from nearby Olin Chemical and stored large amounts of it in rail cars, he said. Now the chlorine has been replaced with less volatile chlorine dioxide.

Thursday's program attracted only a trickle of attention from the public, which Local Emergency Planning Committee Chairman Virgil Fowler attributes to the area's relatively few serious chemical accidents.

``I came out to see which companies had risk management plans,'' Sam Booher of Martinez said. ``I want to be satisfied they're aware of the risks and are taking actions to improve safety.''

Almost half the hazardous materials at Georgia's 25 largest chemical plants are located in Augusta, according to a study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, an environmental watchdog organization.

REACH

Robert Pavey at (706) 868-1222,

Ext. 119, or rpavey@augustachronicle.com.