On September 13, as residents, tourists and
workers were enjoying a typical morning in Washington D.C., dozens of
people collapsed in front of the U.S. Capitol. These Greenpeace
activists simulated the disastrous fate that innocent people would
suffer in the result of a real chemical accident or attack.
The enactment also included a 40 by 12-foot replica of a
ninety-ton rail car in view of the Capitol, releasing simulated
steam and a recorded hissing sound. All of the people representing
victims wore T-shirts reading "Reroute and Phase-Out Chemicals of
Mass Destruction."
These fallen bodies represent the fatalities that would
occur if one
railcar of chlorine or similar chemical experienced an accident or
attack. Scientists estimate as many deaths as 100 people PER SECOND, were this to occur.
Every day, tons of hazardous materials are speeding toward our
nation's metropolitan areas, including Washington, D.C. Not to
mention the chemical facilities that are scattered throughout the
United States. These structures are prime terrorist targets and
the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 26 states are
home to a plant that puts more than one million people at risk.
A Matter of Time
Sadly, we've had multiple, concrete reminders of the possibility
of attacks and accidents since September 11, 2001. Both London and
Madrid were targeted by terrorists and victims of Hurricane Katrina can attest
to the hardships in the wake of a toxic tragedy. Following the
massive storm surge, the chemical plants in the affected area
flooded, releasing untold amounts of toxic poisons into the
region's waterways. Floodwaters of up to 20 feet in some areas
exposed local homes to toxins such as chlorine, vinyl chloride,
gasoline and used motor oil.
Countless experts have warned that a major chemical disaster is
possible on U.S. soil. Richard Falkenrath - former deputy homeland
security adviser to President Bush - disclosed,
"Of all the various remaining civilian vulnerabilities in America
today, one stands alone as uniquely deadly, pervasive and
susceptible to terrorist attack: toxic-inhalation-hazard industrial
chemicals."
Four years after September 11, we are still waiting for the
federal government to act to protect its citizens from a
preventable disaster. The Bush administration is needlessly risking
American lives for the benefit of the chemical industry. If Bush is
seeking out weapons of mass destruction, he need only look in his
own backyard.
Re-route, Phase-Out Chemicals of Mass Destruction
The Bush administration has failed to make our citizens safer.
It's up to Congress to reroute these freight trains away from
densely populated areas. Several cities, including the District of
Columbia, Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are
already debating such legislation. Other bills are being
considered to address increased security.
More importantly, these hazardous chemicals must be replaced
with safer alternatives. Re-routing and added security is an
important temporary safeguard, but the only real solution to this
looming catastrophe is a full phase-out of toxic chemicals.
Take Action!
Ask your senators to support common sense measures to protect
our families, our community and our health from chemical accidents
or attacks.
Visit our Action Center.
Find out if YOU live in a vulnerability zone near a chemical
plant. Visit
the EPA's Web site.
Solutions ARE Possible
Mike Marcotte - chief engineer of the Blue Plains sewage
treatment plant in Washington, D.C. - admitted that September 11,
2001 was a "sleepless
night" for him, knowing the chlorine used at his facility was a
potential terrorist target. Within eight weeks after the terrorist
attacks, the plant had switched to a safer alternative.