A report of the research group, non-profit Center for American Progress (CAP) has identified the chlorine used by plants for water treatment as a major risk to national security. In a report released the same day as the Department of Homeland Security for new chemical security rules – rules that exempt water treatment plants – PAC noted that a leak on a single motor vehicle carrying chlorine Dallas-Fort Worth to place health at nearly 10 million people at risk.
“We continue to ignore this vulnerability … and millions and millions of people are at risk as a result,” said CAP Director regulatory and policy information Reece Rushing.
The railroad industry agrees and pressured the government to impose alternatives to toxic chemicals. According to Edward R. Hamberger, president of the Association of American Railroads, the industry would refuse to transport chlorine, unless required to do so by federal law.
The CAP report, “Toxic Trains and the terrorist threat,” A review of 62 drinking water and wastewater treatment plants nationwide. Report author Paul Ørum praised the plants that make their own chlorine on-site, so that the cutting of rail shipments. But critics of chlorine others have pointed out that where it is produced and stored, a toxic gas to cause a serious risk to health and safety.
According to the 2006 report of the Board of Internal Security, the explosion of chlorine gas in the tank could result in a densely populated 17 500 dead, 10,000 seriously injured and one million in the hospital. There are approximately 100 wastewater treatment plants across the United States to save enough to damage the chemicals in 100,000 people.
Utilities claim they have not gone away from chlorine, because it is the least expensive water treatment. In response, some want groups like Environmental Defense, the federal government to provide financial assistance to help utilities to adopt safer alternatives – such as bleach, ultraviolet or treatment with ozone.
According to the report of the CAP, but would cost to give the chlorine is only about $ 1.50 per customer per year of use.
Chlorine Gas