Regarding the last story, on the Valero accident, there are two significant omissions. One of the injured workers died, and the chemical in question was hydrogen fluoride, which this refinery and many others use in very large quantities as a catalyst in the alkylation process. It's a little strange to state that "responders are investigating what chemicals were behind the glass..." There was never any question. (Our union represents the workers in the Memphis refinery, and many others.)

Michael J. Wright
Department Head, Health, Safety and Environment
United Steelworkers
5 Gateway Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15228

(412) 562-2580 office
(412) 562-2584 fax
(412) 370-0105 cell

Visit Steelworker safety at www.usw.org.

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