Weapons of Mass Destruction in Bush’s Own Backyard

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.