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EO INCIDENT LAKE CHARLES CHEMICAL PLANT APRIL 1990 cial pullout section /VCASE OF HOMES' OiarlesWmerican :ctions 'T*! LAKE CHARLES, LA;f!FRIDA Y, APRIL 27, 1990 NUMBER 32,400 :s up on tax hike plan I..'* . Ruddy Roemcr personal income ng legislative op- Ihe tax is a good cynical than I >f the package so 'Clhing to vole rm of a minimal nd to be in very respect the Leg- ered more oppo sition than any other part of the $600 million tax^ package. Tlic administration also is having problems' with a proposed hazardous waste tax and an increase in the tax on whisky. ` Hep. Raymond Laborde, D-Marksville, chair* man of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he's still trying to iron out problems in connection with those two taxes. The sticking point on the hazardous waste tax are definitions for dry and wet waste. > Now, the state taxes wastes by dry weight and collects $8 million a year. The proposal is to increase the tax per ton and use wet weight to bring in about $53 million. City moves to tak| over water compi By HECTOR SAN MIGUEL American Press Staff Writer In a move to take over the Greater Lake Charles Water Co., Mayor James Sudduth gave no tice Thursday to its board of di rectors that the city has de manded the deed to its assets from trustee banks. Under terms of the original agreement setting up the water company, it was stipulated that the company would become a city department when all of its bond indebtedness is paid. The mayor's announcement during a board meeting followed earlier criticism of the board's plan to float a bond issue to fund $11 million to $14 million in system improvements and a proposed expansion info Water- improvements for the water sys tem under the "pay-as-you-go" program set up in December 1986. At that time, Sudduth said, an additional 45 percent in crease was placed "on the backs of each and every water user" in the cityk Since then, he sai'd&fijj company has accu0U|ll%| million in a fund, fo^ Please see U.S., Soviets new trade agreement rt. WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States and the Soviet Union reached basic agreement Thursday on an economic pact that would normalize trade rela tions between the two super powers for the first time in near ly a half century, a senior U.S. Last year, trade between'the^. countries totaled $5 billion.;U.S*jfjj export sales, which totaled billion, reflected primarily grainM shipments. Soviet sales in Ujisfy' country, totaling $703 milllon^-i included petroleum and con^''-' sumer items such as vodka aruj " Returns home ! 1 Associated Press Photo Robert I'olhill acknowledges the crowd as Thursday after 39 months as a hostage in he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.y Lebanon. Story, on Page 21. duuui'uie cily 2> inu,liuuil9.sine1 mayor is a non-voting member of econ1 the board representing the city. Sudduth said he has made ev ery attempt on the behalf of lo cal citizens to get the board's co operation in structuring capital Vista emergency measures called off By KEFJRY JAMISON American Press Staff Writer WESTLAKE -- Emergency measures taken by the Vista Chemical Company and Westlake police, following the dis covery of a contaminated chemi cal tank, were called off at 5 p.m. Thursday by Westlake May or Dudley Dixon. The contamination of Vista's only ethylene oxide holding lank was discovered during a routine sampling of the chemi cal at 2 p.m. Wednesday by Vista employees. j -plant. the chemical would be to coniine "Our preliminary investiga--. ' Friend said the temperature ue processing it until the tank tion points to a water leak in the; 'of the volatile chemical is stabi- was empty. internal cooling coil ... as the Mizcd in its holding tank by in During the emergency, cause of the water contamina- 'ternal coils that circulate refrig- streets around the Vista plant tion," said plant manager John erated water. Approximately were blocked and some plant Friend. "We've already put to '11,500 gallons of the chemical employees and school children gether a team that has started an investigation of the causes of this incident." Ethylene oxide is used in the manufacture of household cleansers, hair shampoo and ra- diator fluid. The processing of were contaminated by a slight rupture in the cooling coils. The estimated cost of the material ,was $30,000 to $50,000. Authorities at the .plant de-- cidcd that rather than dumping? jthe chemical in a tailing pond stayed home. Local businesses were closed. Everyone agrees the threat was very real. "At room temperature ethyl ene oxide emits a highly explo sive gas," said Mark Delaney, this chemical is only one of 'and releasing inflammable gas, eight different operations at the the best method of dealing with Please see VISTA Page 5 Cheney wants to trim defense budget WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secre tary Dick Cheney on Thursday called for slashing Pentagon plans for the B-2 stealth bomber and other sophisticated aircraft, citing a diminishing Soviet threat. Cheney, pressed by congressional Dem ocrats to cut military spending in re sponse to rapid changes in Europe, testi fied his blueprint would trim $2.4 billion from President Bush's $307 billion de fense budget for 1991 and would save $34.8 billion through 1997. In addition to cutting the proposed number of B-2 bombers from 132 to 75, Cheney said he intends to cut planned purchases of the C-17 long-range transport plane and the Navy's A-12 attack aircraft, and to delay purchases of the Air Force's Advanced Tactical Aircraft and the Ad vanced Tactical Fighter. The chairman of the House Armed Ser vices Committee, Rep. Les Aspin, D-Wis., commended Cheney for "coming to grips with some things he clearly needs to come to grips with" but said he didn't go far enough. Citing analysis' testimony one day earli er on the internal problems in the Soviet military as well as U.S. intelligence re ports predicting instability of the broader Soviet economy, Aspin said Cheney's plan "is based on an unrealistically pessimistic view of the Soviet threat." The Democratic^ t trolled House is al- 20% OFF Over 8,000 Pairs NAME BRAND SHOES, Over 5,000 Pieces Ladies, Jr., Queensize DRESSES SWIMWEAR SPORTSWEAR GIGANTIC cinrr\AfAi w THE COVER UP SHORT SALE (Men & Women's) 20% OFF Pepe, Genera, Union Bay Esprit, Guess & Morel *33 B799____________ 3113 Hyan LEGAL SECRETARY For Cameron Law Firm Call 439-4646 Or 775-5714 Or Send Resume To: P.O. Drawer M Cameron. LA 70631 HUNAN INN LUNCH BUFFET *4.95 Monday Friday DINNER BUFFET *6.95 Monday Saturday SUNDAY SUPREME LUNCH BUFFET *6.95 i 15 Items Including Seafood 903 East Broad 09 055' MARCANTEL'S Fresh Calf Liver 99* Lb. Fresh Crawfish Tails *4.29 Lb. Heavy Beef Whole Ribeyes *2.19 Lb Heavy Beef Bnls. Brisket *1.39 I b RANDY'S Salad Tomatoes 10/*1 Select Red Apples 10/M Select Oranges 10/M Lemnns 10/M ready debating a fiscal 1991 budget that would make significant cuts in proposed Pentagon spending. The Senate is working on its own version. Cheney told the House committee, "So viet military capability will continue to be robust but we can in fact afford to slow down the pace of developing and fielding the next generation of aircraft. He said NATO faces "fewer enemy air craft and a reduced ground threat" as a result of the dramatic changes sweeping Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The defense secretary said that al though the Soviet Union has consistently found a way to upgrade its military de spite economic woes, "we expect the over all performance of their economy to have an impact on what they're able to build and deploy by the way of sophisticated new weapons systems." He predicted a slip in the years in_ which the new systems will be deployed. J Cheney said his proposed cutback'! would lower the projected cost of the B-21 program from $75.4 billion to $61.1 billion.| But he said building fewer planes wouldj drive up the cost of a single plane from] about $530 million to more than $800 mil- o r LX UFA 000007704 ators Irene McGuire and lenneth Miller monitor the lene Oxide storage tank tiat was contaminated at the mg coils inside the tank vere discovered Wednesday emergency cordon arounl the plant. The emergency ded at 5 p.m. Thursday. ; FRI., APRIL 27,-1990, Lake Charles American Press % Vista Continued from Page 1 tems that were already in place. "We kept a close eye on the tem assistant professor of chemistry at McNeese State University. "In the right concentration it is highly irritating to the eyes and can cause pulmonary edema perature," said Vista spokesman Bob Miller. "If it had started to go up we would have had planty of time to divert the ethylene oxide into a pond." (swelling of the lung tissues) Dixon congratulated Vista on when inhaled." reporting the problem immedi Friend said the situation at ately to local civic authorities the plant, though critical, had , rather than trying to solve the been constantly monitored by problem in secrecy, instruments and processing sys A Community Awareness and Response System was also in place in Westlake in which the Calcasieu Sheriff's Department the Civil Defense and severa off-duty policemen helped out Jim Herford, Westlake chie of police, said the incident cos the city $1,000 to $2,000 in over lime man-hours, a cost Frient said the company would discuss a positive response to. Westlake-schools and busi nesses will be open today. Clark College holds graduation Clark College School of Busi ness, Electronics, Health Care and Security of Lake Charles held graduation ceremonies at the Civic Center with Bill Peter son, assistant basketball coach at McNccse State University as guest sneaker. Receiving diplomas were: School of Business: Adminis trative accounting microcompu ter, Harold Knowlton, Carl Mcaux; Bookeeping, Naomi Pcloquin; Computer information processing, Jeanette Chakrabar- ti, Tim Landry, Angela Russell; Intensive business studies, Sharon Mills, Paulette Wiley; Office receptionist, Linda Jo Kenyon, Tina Trahan; Secretari al science, Vanessa Boudreaux, Theresa Breaux. Denise Dickey, Tiffanie Hoffpauir, Roxanne Johnson, Brunella Kay McNeal, Patricia Simien, Teresita Strauss, Tara Stutes. School of Electronics: Elec tric technology, Lozenia An toine, Kenneth Sittig, Tony To ro. School of Health Care: Nurs ing assistant, Michelle Alfred Painalia Gallow, Jean Jessup Adetha Levi, Charlotte Maylen Elizabeth Miller, Annette Pi card, Dedria Pitre, Delores Prejean, Valeric Thomas, Charlene Tookcs. Private Security Training Angela Challow, Aubrey Cloud James Comeaux, Craig Declouict, Scan Ezell, Sharon Hollier, Betty LaFIcur, Deanna Rogers, Timothy Thomas. >Y OUR BEAUTIFUL titf ;W! -u i - -- . -i <. . * . ................ / vOr> f-- ioo- c> A Voice For Progress ic> Copyright 1990 Twi a- Jury appc Marilyn Vc Mrs. Marilyn Vaughn was appointed Thursday to replace her husband, John Vaughn, as District 15 representative on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Jurors quickly gave unanimous approval to the suggestion by Jury President Louis P. *Neg* Beglis, like the Vaughns, a Sulphur resident. Beglis opened a brief special meeting by telling his somber colleagues, *It is with deep emotion and regret that I make this report", then called on Assistant District Attorney Terry Manuel to explain that Vaughn, recuperating in a Houston clinic from severe head injuries suffered in a Jan. 18 auto accident, no longer is eligible to hold his jury position. , The ineligibility resulted from a Judgement of Inderdiction, obtained April 16 by Mrs. Vaughn, to give her the needed authority to operate the family's real estate business. "I urge and recommend that Mrs. Marilyn Vaughn be appoint Manuel tion. W< bell pro tion oft voted "j The ji date of remainc which > 1992. S remains Jury le replacer schedule Beglh post wilt Don M stresse< should s eligible remainc Mr: ton and ing, but welcomJuror Ji nice to 1 jury", s: lone fen Police Jury ,.tpA QOOOt <'Stopping point . ......_ The sight of roadblocks, manned by Wdbtlake City Police, fire depart* Vista Chemical Company complex while a potentially-dangerous cheml-'*>. ' rnent personnel and Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs deputies, was a familiar cai was drained from a tank. Here, Westlake police halt a tanker headed ^ .'one around Westlake through Wednesday night and most of Thursday. Into the Industrial complex along Sulphur Avenue. 1 The barricades were set up to keep non-essential traffic away from the ' (' 'I'iV Vista, Westlake return to normals n Vista Chemical Company and the City ofWestlake began resuming normal activities late Thursday, after,Viata officials announced a pbtenfcially-dangerous chemical tank had been, emptied. ;;rVista Manager John Friend janhounced an "all clear" at alateaftemoon press-conference at iWestlake City HalK ending a | terise 24-hour alert which began ;at- the plant Wednesday -afternoon. ' "I regret .the incident ;happened", said Friend, a -comment which may qualify as Ithe understatement of the year., ; "We've put together a team that has started an investigation of the cause of this incident so we 'can take steps to make aure it never happens again," added ... h,a. ^ . < -vtl? Friend. "We'regoingto make sure we have the best systems for safe ly storing and using' ethylene oxide in our plant*. Westlake Mayor Dudley Dixon joined Friend in a deep sigh of relief. All available city police, fire personnel and other employ ees, bolstered by a number of Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs depu ties, were mobilized to virtually seal ofT a wide area surrounding the Vista plant. Dixon had special praise for the media, particularly television reports during the tense night and day. "Television helped tremendously by staying on the air all night to keep people informed of the situation" the mayor said. The alert began shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday evening when plant officials noted a leak in a cooling coil inside a 25,000 gallon storage, tank containing 11,000 gallons of ethylene oxide. Had sufficient water mixed with the chemical, a reaction could have occurred, with the potential of an explosion. "The danger was serious". Friend admitted. Vista employees maintined a vigil at the tank throughout Wednesday night and Thursday, monitoring temperatures to see that a critical point was not reached. Normal plant manufac turing procedures were used to empty the tank................... Late Thursday, Vista completed processing of the water-contaminated chemicals from the} tank, and' roadblocks around the plant were removed. Friend said cooperation ofdty employees, its police i and firs departments, and the assistance^ of the Sheriff's Department and Civil Defense, had key roles in the success of the situation.'., "The emergency .situation is,^1 over and all of our employees - should report to work for, the* normal shifts", said? Friends "Roads around (Air plant'have been reopeened, and school# and local industry should be able to, return to normal operations immediately". , ' Classes were suspended... Thursday at Westwood, Western^ Heights and MossYille elemen- ' tary schools, Arnett^A See vista Page 7B` Westlake pastor to become. one of three new monsignors torium. The convocation will mark the tenth anniversary of the diocese. Msgr. Melancon, a native of Plattenville, has been pastor of St. John Bosco Parish since 1983. Last year, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. After assignments as an assodate pastorin Opelousas, and St Henry and Our Lady Queen of Heaven nnrioVtc" in T *'' Clergy Senate, the diocesan school board, diocesan boundsries commission and the clergy- peronnel board, and directed the permanent diaconate program. Presently, he is serving his second term as president of the Priests'Senate ofthe Diocese. He has served as chaplain of the Serra Club of Lake Charles and as Catholic chaplain for the CalcasieuAreaCoundloftheGoy ~ 1 <* Begun on Vista From Pag 1A School and WestlaK- High this type of emergney. plain 118 years ago School. Construction work also was halted at Vista, and traffic to and from Vista and the adjacent "We also had the Community Awareness and Emergency Reponse system. That system Conoco plant was curtailed was put together with the cooper a little-leaf linden for Britain's private U.S.-Soviet venture plans during the emergency. ation of the surrounding King George VI, and Herbert to plant frui t trees along the coast Friend reported that Vista had communities and local industry. Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower, of Nicaragua. instrument and process systems The local emergency response both Midwesterners, left their Scrambling to get on the band in place to monitor and to control officials and Vista officials feel arboreal legacy in oaka. Bush's wagon, corporations are liningup the system worked very ' Friend noted. According to Friend, prelimin ary investigations P9int to a water leak in the internal cooling coil in the ethylene oxide tank as the cause of the water contamination. grandchildren now swing on Ike's to help the U.S. Forest Service sturdy tree. with its National Tree Planting ' *1 . Bush, who wants to plant a Initiative. tree in every state, last April Texaco, for one, has pledged $1 personally turned the dirt for an million to nurture new woods offspring ofthe Adams elm on the being planted this year by volun grounds of the North Dakota teers in Houston, New Orleans capitol in Bismarck. and Denver. But before the presidential Scientists say woodlands spade tapped down the roots, restoration comes none too soon. horticulturalists had to take Over centuries, agriculture has emergency action against gypsy done in nearly half of the Earth's moth larvae that had taken a free original forestland. Every year, ride from Washington amid the tropical rain forests the size of 12-foot sapling's branches. Tennessee disappear under the The president's North Dakota machete and the bulldozer. tree is now thriving, according to Experts say football field-sized S.F. "Buckshot" HofTner, execu stands of trees are mowed down tive director of the North Dakota somewhere in the world every 3 Centennial Commission. The seconds. elms Bush planted in South Dakota, and. Montana for those States' centennigjfl .last year are also budding. On April 3, Bush planted another elm in Indianapolis and Arbor Day, as with most great causes, began as .one; person's visidh'arfd became an official holi-- day long before ecology was a buzz word. dedicated it to tho comatose Ryan In 1864, Julius Sterling Keeping watch 1 1 1 " * White, the teen-ager with AIDS who died five days later. But Bush is not tackling his goal single-handedly. In hia 1990 budget, he asked Congress for Morton, eon of a wealthy New York merchant, left the cultured East with his bride of a few hours and headed for the Nebraska Territory. They settled on a tree- Vista Chemical Company operators Kenneth Miller and Irene McGuire maintain a vigil at an ethylene oxide tank which kept plant officials and the nearby city of Westlake on a 24-hour alert. Miller 0 $176 million to plant 1 billion : less 160-acre homestead outside trees. Ho has called on fellow citi Nebraska City, 40 miles south of Juryzens to plant 10 billion trees by Omaha on the Missouri River. From Page 1A McGuire were members of a team which kept a care ful check on the Internal temperature of the tank to be n the beginning of the century. In Just 3 percent of the vast n time, he said, those trees would Territory was wooded. Fierce n annuallyabsorbl3milliontonsof prairie fires and roaming buffalo 9 carbon dioxide, 6 percent of made trees so scarce they became nationwide emissions. landmarks, Buch as "travel two Global ReLoaf, a project of the days until you get to the tree." It `d American Forestry Association, is claimed that Lone Tree, Neb., plans to plant 100 million trees in was named for a single huge '3 the United States by 1992. A cottonwood on the Ox Bow Trail. Lockhart agreed. "I find it discouraging to watch the news and see Louisiana is first in so many things, none of which you can be proud of, he said. *T want to see us make some ofthese people do what they're supposed to do*. Bell City member Darrell TVrouen had a sharp suggestion __ Jury President Louis P:*Neg*rJ. despite'changesTofApwnersbipTlsHj^ Beglis of Sulphur and DeQuincy's & j&TTmnotaure^waat to settfcU] Ray Coltrin were two who weren't ? preoeidan^bMue^probabb^noc fully convinced. one of the plants west of theriviri "I think we should invite the^ couldKpass- this'p?tet*,&added* plant manager to be. here next? Coltrin.*,"Maybe,/though, week (at the jury's regular meet-/.' should vote from the heart on .tbia}l ing) and see ifhe has anydefense*,'. one\ said Beglis. "They may have plana { : Lake Charles -juror v Charles^ to improve, because.a lot of these Liggiomade the dedrive oommeot "Thincompany has been aproblem r- r-. o oo o <1 LL. Page 2A Southwest Daily News Thursday, April 26, 1990 Possible Vista emergency alerts Westlake residents Officials ofVista Chemical and the City of Westlake were on full alert Wednesday, monitoring a potentially-dangerous tank of ethylene oxide. Late Wednesday night, Calca sieu Parish School Supertlnten- dent Charles Oakley announced that Westlake High School, Arnett Middle School, and Western Heights, Westwood and MossvlUe elementary schools willnot holdclasses Thursdayat the request of Mayor Dudley Dixon. Vista officials said construc tion workers shouldnot report to Vista projects Thursday morning. The chemical, which Vista Director of Employee Relations Bob Miller said is used in making alcohol ethoxylate product, was slowly being drained from a tank containingsome 12,000 gallons of the chemical. The potential danger was from water used to cool the tank. "If ethylene oxide is mixed with water, you have the potential ofa chemical reaction and explosion,1' Miller explained. He said Vista personnel were monitoring temp eratures of the tank, since a rise in temperature could signal a possible reaction. Mayor Dixon said the city's emergency preparedness plan was in full operation, although at 7 p.m., the city's emergency warning system had not been needed. "We have blocked off all roads in what might be a danger area* Dixon reported. "Only essential personnel needed at the plants are being allowed in, our fire and police departments are on stand by, and we have ringed the area where evacuation might be required. We've notified the high school and Red Cross, and ifthere is a need, we can move immedi ately to evacuate anyone in danger." Dixon and Miller agreed a long night was in Btore. The problem was noted by Vista workers about 4:15 p.m., and it may be late Thursday before the tank is completely drained. ' Miller said the tank, with a capacity of 25,000 gallons, was being reduced by normal manu facturing methods. "If the temp erature begins to rise, we would dump the product into a pond designed for that purpose,"Miller explained. "The problem with that is that dumping it could form a vapor cloud, which could cause an explosion if it reached a heat source," Miller added. Dixon praised Vista's handling of the emergency. "We have been talking to experts all over the country, and all agree that as long as the material is stabilized, there's no problem," the mayor said. "We (city officials) have been into the plant, we've seen what the Vista people are doing and everyone is working well together," Dixon added. "The volume of the material in the tank is constantly decreasing, and the danger decreases, proportionately." Upcoming events Thursday, April 26 The third annual McNaese National Works on Paper exhibition will be held ^Ihe Abercfomble Gallery through ' '1i ' Police Jury The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury win hold committee meetings at 5:30 p.m. In the Parish Government Building. Firefighter class WnrH 4 District 4 Houston River ized by the Ninety Nines Inc., Women Pilots, will meet at 4 p.m. in the Media Room In the terminal buBdlng at Lake Charles Regional Airport. Chapter leaders Or. Sandra Leder and Deborah Ransdell Invite students In grades 4-8 who are Interested In learning more Planting flowers The three and four-year-olc Calcasieu-Cameron Child Devel brated Earth Day by planting a i front of the center. Everyone wa; Port, Elsi Port of Lake Charles officis held a meeting to "exchanf ideas" about Elsinore,Aerpspat locating a airplane maintenan facility at Chesnault Industri Airpark. Bill Duke, executive director the port, Larry DeRouen, p< board president, along with p< T*anil <1 U. ,j 0 0 0 ? 7 oQ i City back {to normal after alert hUMMIMwIhi* labs fti* week. mM trmfic fern MIMftluol|AitawnraaAwHisdaAti i th* aertufm </ bt we^1* acnre appears to W tipM ag* tank at Vbta CT time: si mddaiaing ethyl*a* anda aeftafltopwliilll) iAM|liiM. Ai'ayiWi alattwceinBcdcpJ ot7 and plant aCrial* anas tomdhar and laj the AAnWii j anrtsr control imuii Malady, AS ' available city polka, On paraia nel and other employe**, W* tarod by a aumfaar at "~*r~ ~*-- Pariah Sheriffs deputise, war* mobituod to virtually aaal off a wide area surrounding tta iAeta plant Vista Chronical ra|nj and tba City of Wastlaka bofaa resuming normal activities Into Thursday, after Van oflkaala Alert keen 9. 1A j--i mduetry should bn able to ^Hera to normal perattans ;ll`c?otaey`ware handling this L eel withe* (1m plant manager **d- want a ** r*e"''1' -Thursday et Westwood, Western r"w*ni agtandad tMfcm** * :Haight1 end Mcnsvilla ekonntnry schools. Arnett Middle -School end W.atleke Hsgb '--hi-1 CooeUutlaei of* iuThalfad ntVintn, arodti**" Um public effldal# rfWeaileka. bloeirvilla *** Cnltadw P*n*h far their help and I ^i"a f brogwg tha ImilM* * aaf* soduMsm h adffhan. b* patA Canaan pUat am* wtniM ^t.MhMdhsntdi wb* balpad knap naa resident* tafarmad Airing the usaaigaity- ''dhnmnjiMiiMmmiMrtkiarra--odtarosrtal Ibis trpa at asuargamj. ; that had tha CanawWg 'Aesmata and lasrysacy jai^noa aytka. TW eyatam eapet togetherwith ft*cooper- tion af tko surrounding ee...wumiiian and toeal taduatry. The local ama|ancy roaponao wfBAab and Vlata oflMab teal ah. syatam auskad am? well. ^-i nntftrl annouccod a potantially- daagerous rhamk-sl tank had botn emptied. Vista Maospar John Friend announced an*all doer* at alnto- aflernoon preae conference at Wactlakc City Hall aedtag a taoaa 34-hour alart which began at lbs plaat Wednesday afternoon. *1 ragrat the incident LEPC praises Vistabappeeaff, said Priced. 'Wa'va put toother a team that has atartod an tswtiyalM of tha 1 for emergency plancause of this iaaiaat an wo nan taka stops to make aura it sooar happens again. Wa>a gcung to By Crmlg Mss gist .maka sura at bav* tko bast News nnrraa|iiiMiiaut Ijatcnn for safely storing and Ual Emergency Planning using ethylene coda in aur Cosmmsaieu chairman Sannsi , pitop. Husisll ducriW tbs tray Viata Westlake Mayor Dudley Dtnaa Chemical handled a pitintlaTly I joined Friend in a daap sigh of dangerous situation last weak as railof. DUon had spade! praise a teitbookeiampla ofhew to deal for tha madia, particularly rolaii with an emergency. lion reports during the taoaa LEPC bald a debriefing last night and day. Friday afternoon o?og*ruing tha i Television balpod tTarnwiil I oualy by (taring on the air nl) intrusion of water into a tank containing eftytea* odds at tha ' night to kaap poopto infiiiiind at Wat* plant in 7*satiate tha actuation* tha mayor said. neat manager John Prised *Ht danger was serious", maid SO can react eery rapidly Prlead admitted. aritfa water ia the pinsuis at a Vlata employees maintinad a catalyst. Tha raction may vigil at tha tank throughout produce hast which oould load to Wadasaday night and TVuroday, an esplosion ia a closed mooitaring temperaCures to aea contain*r. that a optical point taaa nak Wntar antarad tha storage unit : resAed Normal plant manafae- fnm a UsUtig intatnsl coohng 1 luring procedures were need fa coil. Impuntisw in thewatarcould empty the tank. have acted as a eetelyst. accord Lata Thursday. Vista ing to Friend. completed processing of the Fntnd said tha Community wter-contaminated chemicals Aa'srensss and Emergency from the tank, and roadblocks Response system "works and around the plant ware removed. aroriu well. I want to thunk the Friend said cooperation ofaty public odJdalaofWaatlaka.Moaa- employees, its police and fire vile and Calcasieu Parish far departments, and the assistance thadr help and SPeparabon." Rant oparetosa Brat noticed a IfynHam in tka manufhcliaitng pieceia at 1 pm. Tnaailaj After ittsrmaitng watar kt tha knk, team mmlnn notified araa cdBaials thnngh ft* CAES aystem lata Wndnaidiy afitmtin. Oparatcn bnpuitenioving tb* 11^00 gaOsna afBO in Iba tank through t----1 pasndsf and four ectioola tat ft* Wastlaka araa war* dosed TVursday aa tha rr-mnng roatinned. Vwtaieamnnittfao-aatiMtt* about S pA Thursday through tbs CABS mbUL Tfft* tamporator*hadmadea sustained inwaaaa. w* would have notiftad officials to oonrldnr avacuation," Friond aaid. Howavar, tha taakV condition ramainad stahlo throughout this incident* Priood said S pounds offto BO won reUasod at an* point hut posed no threat to employees er n sartiy rasidsnta. Viata uaaa EO. a liquid, to maka alcohol othozyloto products used in mafcing_d*Mrg*at* and personal care product*. ef the Sheriffs Department and Civil Defense, bad key roles in tha success of the sioiaoon. *Tbe emergency situation ia over and aU of our employes* should report to work fitr tboir " normal shifts", said Friend. 'Roads around our plant have baen reopened, and schools and $4 Alert. 9. 2A A 77T UFA 000007709 ^okck r\ id / j}&(Y 6 ^a^LeA^iumt^ ^ A(b#vv\ \^qt ^ 1 _. . i-N. * C\ \ r> Jr" I yA c' h>K'WWJ (h Fo n^ow^rvvvw^-tes^ b,<0/c/^;- -'^ Ay q fOy y _ :iq,; it.5^______ --- Son ^ lb: tJ\Uu 'v/Au^^GiA,' w c5; l ^c> <Si about an (oour iboqfoe ff\^i'C- MV jjf'Ot-i j'-'X s,,Llf -io& " vp-iVv. b ,l(ia li.N I j ' * vap io f OjI UFA 00000771 i but aUai/sm h&bpta ci ti v~, / f\ d ffJ/h 't/iffw . A,t UPA 00000771 'Cy> Qjj$ QU ' suzooooo Wrt . KV^lb K' < __ Cj) Vjq^ '^7ntCf) ^oy0X V x^ <4* T^M l' r\ &<<? <e^f\x&l\jj crp\<0T\ '<^Xf\fJ^rvu? pvJ'X t-TXJAU YX ~x ^xx\ 44rij-^o^ ^ ^oV|5 -- Yr^V 0S>^ cY^ren vr nrrm^ b^^Jxn "Z/^ ^r^fj-7^ - %'< A && ~*i dbjLsr\ olrt> c&Afta<^r\ uj>1" I yyta/\ C0-ic -pvt. Gr^untJ , t&ldrcr^ ^dr&4 4 T\0 \hrv\. iclfiAzi'KiS j pajrH^w^ \-&(^>UjjJr- rOJY\ -fW" 2- nrv>cvc Vtvs-V , / rrurcL . VPA 000007714 News Bulletin At about 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon (April 25) Vista Chemical personnel dis covered that an ethylene ox- , ide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been con taminated with water. The contamination could lead to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explo sion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is now approximately one-quarter full of liquid eth ylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators in Vis ta's ethoxylate unit are mo nitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first in dication if a chemical re action is beginning. Vista personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal man ufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. How ever, this could take another 12-18 hours. If the reaction begins, op erators can dump the tank through an emergency release system. This system is de signed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some could be re leased to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has told all non-essential Lake Charles Chemical Plant personnel to remain at home. The al cohols unit has been shut down except for one growth reactor, because the alcohols unit is located just north of the ethoxylate unit and the wind is from the south. All other units at the chemical plant are functioning normal ly, but product shipments may be disrupted today. Construction on the EXAM project has been halted. Both the VCM plant and the LAB plant are operating normally. Vista is in contact with the Mayor of Westlake, the po lice and other emergency per sonnel, as well as nearby in dustry, and is coordinating emergency actions with them. Both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, have been closed by the city, as a precaution. Co noco shut down its turn around operations last night, but made the decision to re start work this morning and employees are passing through police lines. Four Westlake schools, Westwood elementary, Western Heights elementary, Westlake High, and Mossville Elementary will remain closed today. Local media has been very cooperative, maintaining cov erage of the incident through the night and helping Vista communicate with its em ployees. The company has set up a media briefing center at the Westlake City Hall. As more information be comes available, we'll get it to you. Other information Q. How did the contamina tion occur? A. At this time, we do not know the cause of the wa ter contamination. Q. What are the health ef fects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations';can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, dif ficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure oc curs over long periods of time. Q. What do we use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and in dustrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. Q. Do we manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from Oxychem. About the ethoxylate unit: The unit was built in 1962 and has a capacity of 65 mil lion pounds per year. EO is brought to the plant by rail car. Provided by the Vista Public Relations Department Ext. 3210 VPh 000007715 Friday, April 27,1990 News Bulletin At about 5 p.m. yesterday (April 26), Vista Lake Charles Chemical Plant (LCCP) employ-' ees completed removal of the water-contaminated ethylene oxide (EO) from its storage tank. The emergency situation is over and operations in the plant are returning to normal. Employees are reporting to work for their usual shifts throughout the plant. Roads around the plant have been reopened and schools and local industry have returned to normal operations. NO LONGER A MYSTERY. How the tank became contaminated is not such a mystery any longer. A team of employees was formed to investigate the causes of the contamination. The team's preliminary work points to a water leak in the in ternal cooling coil in the EO tank as the cause of the water contam ination. "Steps will be taken to ensure that this never happens again," said John Friend, plant manager, LCCP. "And," he continued, "we're going to make sure we have the best systems for safely storing and using EO in our plant." TRACK RECORD OF SAFETY. "The Lake Charles Chemical Plant has a 28-year-long track record of handling EO without a serious incident," Friend told a press conference yesterday. "We want to continue that record. "Vista has instruments and process systems in place that monitor and control this type of emergency. Those systems worked during this one," Friend said. THE CAER CONNECTION. Through out the emergency, Vista relied on the Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) system to alert and inform local emergency response officials and the public. CAER was put together with the cooperation of the surrounding communities and local industry. Additionally, the local media helped keep Vista employees informed during the incident. OTHER INFORMATION-Q&A.. The following is a list of other ques tions and answers prepared for yesterday's press conference. Q. Vista is going to contin ue using EO? A. Ethylene oxide, along with all the chemicals we use or make, are of great benefit to our society. For instance, EO is used to make household and industrial detergents and other cleaning products we all use every day. But we also believe they must be handled with care, by trained, experienced people. That's how we expect to continue to operate our business. Q. Who's going to pay for the city and parish employees' overtime and other expenses in curred helping Vista during the emergency? A. Vista is willing to work with city, parish and state re sponse organizations to ensure that the extraordinary costs are covered. We want to make'sure the taxpayers don't have to pay for them. Q. Does Vista manufacture EO? A. No, we purchase it from Oxychem. Provided by the Vista Chemical Company Public Relations Department Questions? Contact Mike Reynolds, 713/588-3210 UFA 000007716 EO emergency-MSR speech Lake Charles Ethylene Oxide Emergency (ii 4/25 Wednesday = John Friend called at 5 p.m. April 25 c=> He asked for two things: cd a P.R. person at the plant ASAP d Help writing a statement for news media CAER system was alerted o Situation required road closings => Media center needed outside plant 4/25 Wednesday--5-6 p.m. cd Called for environmental backup d Information on EO c=> Tried to locate Bozman i=> MSR, GEW, MAS,DLT still at office o Called back Loughlin for secretarial support c=> Began packing c? Bozman's computer system and printer cd Still camera and film c=> Press release--office materials, phone lists cd Vista PR emergency information manuals cd Reynolds called back Friend and began getting details for first statement => Talked to DeBemardi, checked on execs in and out of town (=) 4/25 Wednesday--6-7 p.m. cd S tatement faxed to Friend at plant ed Bob Miller took statement, went to set up Media center at Westlake City Hall. Gave nine interviews by midnight. cd Grumbles arrives; he, Reynolds, Stephenson began revising statement, brainstorming questions cd Collected more EO information cd Thomas began searching for: cd aerial photos => fact sheets on plant c=> Reached Bozman, asked her to pack, come in m 4/25 Wednesday-7--10:30 p.m. cd Weis left for Lake Charles by car cd Faxed subsequent statements to plant cd Reynolds, Stephenson briefed Bozman cd Thomas printed plant fact sheets cd Bozman leaves for Lake Charles cd Reynolds, Stephenson, Grumbles began developing answers for possible questions cd Stephenson drafted radio announcements for Lake Charles to use for employee notification for reporting to work c= Thomas, Loughlin left for home m 4/25 Wednesday-10:30-12 Page #1 00000??{ EO emergency-MSR speech After highway delay, Weis arrived at Lake Charles plant, was briefed, goes to media center cd Bozman arrived at plant, was briefed, left for media center cd With situation settling into a pattern, Reynolds, Stephenson go home m 4/26 Thursday-- 11:30-7 a Weis manned media center, giving 13 interviews, updates during the night cd Bozman goes to hotel, returns to head media center at 7 a.m. t=> Weis notifies local radio of personal needed at plant G==) 4/26 Thursday--7-Noon => Bozman took over at media center, Weis to hotel cd Houston PR employees reported cd Previous night's statement is edited, distributed to desks of key members of Houston management cd Reynolds contacted, briefed S&T cd Media activity picked up, Bozman completed 19 tv, radio and newspaper interviews cd Stephenson left for Lake Charles cd Loughlin distributed news bulletin at Houston, faxed to other plants, sales offices cd Thomas selects aerial photos, sent out for rush processing cd Photos hot-shotted to Lake Charles C=) 4/26 Thursday--Noon-8 cd Stephenson arrived at media center, Bozman briefed her and left to escort media through police lines for video footage, take photos inside plant => Weis returned to Houston cd Reynolds began drafting statement for end of emergency, reviewing with DeBemardi, McClain Data developed for Friend by Reynolds, Grumbles on how EO reacts with water cd Thomas develops information on Calcacieu Chemical cd McClain developed answer for wholl pay for city, parish overtime O 4/26 Thursday-Noon-8 p.m. cd Stephenson, Miller head media center, giving updates to reporters cd Houston PR relays statements, Q&As to Friend at plant, Stephenson at media center cd Bozman coordinated revisions in press conference statement with Houston cd Stephenson writes press release for press conference cd Bozman revised and edited press release for use at press conference cd Stephenson, Miller notify media of 5:15 press conference 4/26 Thursday--Noon-8 o Bozman counsels Friend, staff on Local Emergency Planning Council meeting set for 4/27 cd Bozman coordinated Friend appearance on Live at Five c= Friend held press conference, using last statement cd Thomas drafts announcement for employees next morning cd Bozman, Stephenson deliver photos to newspapers for 9 p.m. deadline Page #2 MPA 00000771 EO emergency-MSR speech O 4/27 Friday--7-4:30 p.m. d Stephenson, Bozman meet with plant mgmt. to continue discussion of LEPC meeting d Stephenson and Bozman meet with shift supv., engineers to pin down facts, times cd Stephenson and Bozman prepare 20-minute speech, timetable for meeting t=> Stephenson, Bozman meet with Friend to discuss plans o Stephenson, Bozman prepare press kits cd Bozman handles media at LEPC meeting; Friend gives speech cd Thomas issues followup employee news bulletin cd Stephenson, Bozman return to Houston C=) What we learned cd What worked cd Two-person PR team, coordinated with Houston cd Miller, Friend as spokespersons cd File photos cd Taking pictures for the media cd Media center at city hall cd Grumbles' accessibility cd Computer, printer on scene cd Getting feedback from shift supervisors, engineers What Vista needs for the future cd Close working relationships with emergency personnel near ail our plants cd Detailed, communicated emergency plans for all plants, including: cd employees at site c=> emergency personnel cd media cd the surrounding community cd Drills to practice these plans cd A PR employee to work with other plants and their communities to gain the same type of media, official cooperation that Bozman enjoyed in Lake Charles C=) What PR needs for the future cd MSDS's, chemical data in language for the layman cd Pagers for key employees cd A change of clothes at the office for each employee cd Arrangements for rapid travel to sites other than Lake Charles o A spare, lighter printer cd A portable fax machine t=> 2 walkie-talkies and cellular phones cd To take, file and maintain aerial and ground-level photos of all our facilities and surrounding areas cd Aerial-view drawings of plants, surrounding areas cd Ammerman training for Thomas C=) What We Learned cd What didn't work Page #3 UFA 000007719 EO emergency-MSR speech e Slow speed getting PR to scene => No fax at media center for first night c=> MSDS couldn't be understood q Legal didn't inform PR when they found out about incident 30 minutes earlier o Notifying Mossville ns No news, updates to roadblock personnel <=> Secretarial/clerical help was needed at media center *=> Couldn't get food cd Weren't up-front about 5 lb. release cd Coordination with VCM and LAB plants A Page #4 YPA 000007720 THERE ARE SEVERAL POINTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS AFTERNOON. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM WORKS, AND WORKS VERY WELL. I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF WESTLAKE, MOSSVILLE AND CALCASIEU PARISH FOR THEIR HELP AND COOPERATION IN BRINGING THIS INCIDENT TO A SAFE CONCLUSION. AND, I PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WHO HAVE HELPED US KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED. AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A RUN DOWN OF EVENTS AS THEY OCCURRED, ALONG WITH A BASIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS AND THE MATERIALS INVOLVED. LET'S START BY DESCRIBING ETHYLENE OXIDE AND HOW WE USE IT IN OUR MANUFACTURING PROCESS. WE PURCHASE EO AND USE IT TO MAKE ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE PRODUCTS. WE SELL THESE PRODUCTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS FOR USE-IN MAKING HOUSEHOLD AND INDUSTRIAL DETERGENTS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS LIKE SHAMPOO AND COSMETICS. FOR BACKGROUND PURPOSES, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT EO IS A FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND EASILY IGNITED. IT HAS AN AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE, IN AIR, OF (804F) AND CAN BURN AT AS LITTLE AS 3% MIXTURE IN AIR. AS A VAPOR, IT WILL DECOMPOSE VIOLENTLY WHEN ; EXPOSED TO CERTAIN TEMPERATURES. SPECIFICALLY, AT 10408F, IT WILL EXPLODE WHEN IT IS AT HIGH TEMPERATURE IN A CONTAINED ATMOSPHERE. EO IS TOXIC AND, THEREFORE, SHOULD NOT BE INHALED. OSHA EXPOSURE LIMITS ARE 1 PPM IN AN 8-HOUR EXPOSURE PERIOD AND 5 PPM IN A 15 MINUTE EXPOSURE PERIOD. SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE TO HIGH CONCENTRATIONS CAN CAUSE HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA AND VOMITING, DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING, AND DEPRESSION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. EO ALSO UPA 000007721 IS A CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT WHEN EXPOSURE OCCURS OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. WE BELIEVE OUR ACTIONS WERE PRUDENT CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES. ETHYLENE OXIDE CAN REACT VERY RAPIDLY WITH WATER IN THE PRESENCE OF A CATALYST TO FORM ETHYLENE GLYCOL, THE PRINCIPLE INGREDIENT IN AUTO ANTIFREEZE. THERE WAS A REMOTE POSSIBILITY THAT IMPURITIES IN THE WATER COULD ACT AS A CATALYST TO START THIS REACTION. THE ETHYLENE GLYCOL ITSELF CAN THEN REACT WITH THE EO TO FORM POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, A POLYMER OR PLASTIC MATERIAL WHICH IS NONHAZARDOUS. BOTH REACTIONS PRODUCE A LOT OF HEAT. ALL THIS HEAT THEN MAKES THE REACTIONS TAKE PLACE FASTER AND FASTER AND COULD LEAD TO AN UNCONTROLLED SITUATION. IF THIS TAKES PLACE IN A CLOSED CONTAINER, AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE COULD RESULT. WHEN EO ARRIVES AT OUR PLANT, IT IS FIRST STORED IN OUR 25,000 GALLON STORAGE TANK. THIS IS THE FIRST STAGE OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. (SHOW EO TANK DRAWING AND EXPLAIN.) WE BELIEVE THAT EO MUST BE HANDLED WITH CARE, BY TRAINED, EXPERIENCED PEOPLE. THAT'S HOW WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE OUR BUSINESS. NOW FOR A CHRONOLOGY OF THE ; EVENTS AS THEY HAPPENED EARLIER' THIS WEEK. THE OPERATIONS PERSONNEL IN OUR ETO UNIT SAMPLED A BATCH OF OUR ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE PRODUCT LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON. THAT BATCH SHOWED SOME VARIANCE FROM THE NORM IN A PRODUCT QUALITY PARAMETER CALLED CLOUD POINT. SEVERAL FACTORS CAN CAUSE CLOUD POINT TO VARY. THE OPERATIONS TEAM THEN BEGAN TO LOOK FOR THE CAUSE OF THE PRODUCT QUALITY PROBLEM. AS THEY ELIMINATED VARIABLES, THEY WERE ABLE TO A PINPOINT THE FACT THAT WATER WAS PRESENT IN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT IN THE OFF-SPEC PRODUCT. 'BY WEDNESDAY, THIS WAS TRACED TO WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE EO RAW MATERIAL WHICH CAME FROM A LEAKING INTERNAL COOLING COIL IN THE EO STORAGE TANK. WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND EVALUATE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. A RESPONSE TEAM WAS FORMED TO ANALYZE THE SITUATION, GATHER ADDITIONAL DATA, AND IDENTIFY ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. ONCE WE DETERMINED THE NATURE OF THE TANK'S CONDITION, WE SET THE CAER SYSTEM IN MOTION. THIS BEGAN WITH CALLS TO CAER, WESTLAKE CITY OFFICIALS, OUR OTHER VISTA PLANTS IN WESTLAKE, AND CONOCO. WE ALSO SENT HOME ALL NON-ESSENTIAL VISTA PERSONNEL AND CONTRACT PERSONNEL. WE SET UP A VISTA COMMAND CENTER AT THE PLANT'S MAIN OFFICE AND A MEDIA CENTER AT THE WESTLAKE CITY HALL WITH THE COOPERATION OF CITY OFFICIALS. ABOUT 5:00 PM, ALL POLICE ROAD BLOCKS WERE IN PLACE ON OLD SPANISH TRAIL AND HOUSTON RIVER ' ROAD. ONLY ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS EMPLOYEES OF VISTA REPORTED FOR DUTY ON THEIR REGULAR SHIFTS. CONOCO ELECTED TO SHUT DOWN THEIR MAJOR TURNAROUND WORK ON THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT SHIFT. OUR FIRST PRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC BEGAN AT ABOUT 6 PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25. WE DECIDED THE BEST METHOD FOR REMOVING THE EO FROM THE TANK WAS TO PROCESS IT THROUGH THE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM. AS THIS WAS DONE, WE CONTINUALLY MONITORED THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE IN THE TANK. IF THE TEMPERATURE HAD MADE A SUSTAINED INCREASE, WE WOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER EVACUATION WHICH WE HAD PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED WITH THEM. IF THE TEMPERATURE U'PA 000007723 CONTINUED TO MOVE UP, WE WOULD HAVE DRAINED THE EO TO THE EMERGENCY RELIEF BASIN. THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ACTION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD OR EXPOSURE. HOWEVER, THE TANKS CONDITION REMAINED STABLE THROUGHOUT THIS INCIDENT AND NONE OF THESE ACTIONS WERE REQUIRED. WE CONTINUOUSLY MONITORED THE TANK'S CONDITION AND PROVIDED UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND THROUGH THE FOLLOWING DAY UNTIL THE INCIDENT WAS BROUGHT TO.A SAFE CONCLUSION. FREQUENT UPDATES WERE GIVEN TO LOCAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS. DURING THE NIGHT OF THE 25TH, WE MADE RADIO AND TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS ADVISING OFFICE AND CONTRACT EMPLOYEES TO REMAIN AT HOME ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26. SCHOOL OFFICIALS DECIDED TO CLOSE FOUR WESTLAKE SCHOOLS UNTIL WE RETURNED TO NORMAL PLANT OPERATIONS. BY EARLY MORNING THURSDAY, WE HAD REMOVED OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE EO FROM THE TANK AND PROJECTED COMPLETION SOMETIME DURING THE EARLY EVENING HOURS. THE ALL CLEAR WAS GIVEN THROUGH THE CAER SYSTEM AT 5:08 PM YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. AT 5:15 PM, WE HELD OUR FINAL PRESS BRIEFING WITH THE MAYOR OF WESTLAKE AND THE WESTLAKE POLICE CHIEF. WE ARE HAPPY THAT THIS WAS PRECAUTIONARY IN THE END AND THAT THE CAER SYSTEM WORKED. ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO THE MEDIA FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED. 'JpA 000007724 Date 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/25 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 4/26 Time 6 p.m. 6:10 p.ra. 6:15 p.m. 6:25 p.m. 6:35 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 6:45 p.m. 9 p.m. 10 p.m. 12 midn 1 a.m. 3:40 a.m. 4:50 a.m. 6 a.m. 8:25 a.m. 9 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10 a.m. 10:10 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 12 noon 12 noon 1 p.m. 1:50 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:35 p.m. 2:40 p.m. 2:48 p.m. 2:55 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 5 p.m. 5:15 p.m. PRESS INTERVIEWS Vista Chemical ethylene oxide situation Lake Charles, Louisiana 4/25-26/90 Media Reporter Spokesperson SW Daily News, Sulphur LC American Press KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC KVHP-TV, Ch 29, LC Ch 3 TV, Lafayette LA 99 radio, LC KYKZ radio, LC KVHP-TV, Ch 29, LC KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC KVHP-TV, Ch 29, LC Ch 10 TV, Lafayette LA 99 radio, LC KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC KVHP-TV, Ch 29, LC Ch 6 TV, Beaumont LA 99 radio, LC Ch 3 TV, Lafayette KYKZ radio, LC Westlake-M/B News Ch 12 TV, Beaumont Ch 10 TV, Lafayette KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC Ch 6 TV, Beaumont KPLC-TV, Ch 7, LC SW Daily News, Sulphur Ch 3 TV, Lafayette Ch 12 TV, Beaumont Ch 6 TV, Beaumont KYKZ radio, LC Ch 10, Lafayette KPLC-TV Ch 7, LC KVHP-TV Ch 29, LC KPLC-TV Ch 7, LC Adams Dickey Beaugois Lee Roca BiUedeaux Lee Smith Beaugois Lee BiUedeaux Beaugois Beaugois Lee Shepard BiUedeaux Bridges O'Quain Russell Arnold Gray Shepard Murphy Adams Myers Russell Shepard Gray Lee Murphy Miller Miller Miller Miller Miller Miller Miller MUler Friend Miller Weis Weis Weis Friend Bozman Bozman Bozman Bozman Bozman Bozman Bozman . Bozman MUler Bozman Miller MUler Stephenson Stephenson Stephenson Stephenson Stephenson MUler Friend Stephenson Friend Friend A Reason Initial statement/phone Initial statement/phone Initial statement/phone Initial statement/phone Initial statement/phone Initial statement/phone Initial statement/phone Update request/phone Live update/studio Live update/city hall Live update/ city hall Taped update/city hall Taped update/city hall Live update/city hall Live update/city hall Taped update/city hall Taped update/city hall Taped update/city hall Taped update/city hall Taped update/city hall In-depth interview Taped update/city hall Taped update/phone Live update/plant gate Live update/city hall Taped update/city hall Update/phone Update/phone Update/phone Update/phone Update/phone Update/phone Live update/plant gate Live update/city hall "Live at Five"/plant gate Press conference/city hall Wh 000007725 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 5:50 p.m. At about 2 p.m. this afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. That contamination could lead to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators are monitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first indication if a chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some may be released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry, through our coordinated emergency response system. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. Use if asked Q. How did the comtamination occur? A. At this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What do you use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and industrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. Q. Do you manufacture EO? OPA A A. No. We purchase it from Union Carbide and Hoescht-Celanese. Facts about the Alcohol Ethoxylate Unit The unit was built in 19XX and has a capacity of 65 million pounds per year. EO is brought to the plant by rail car. VPA 000007727 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 7:20 p.m. At about 2 p.m. this afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. That contamination could lead to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators are monitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first indication if a chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some may be released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry, through our coordinated emergency response system. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. Use if asked Q. How did the comtamination occur? A. At this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What do you use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and industrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. Q. Do you manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from Union Carbide and Hoescht-Celanese. : ^ 000007?28 Vista Chemical Company 900 Threadneedle Houston, Texas 77079 Phone (71 3) 588-3000 Press Release Post Office Box 19029 Houston, Texas 77224 Fax (713) 588-3236 A VISTA 90-13 4/26/90 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Friend (318) 494-5341 or Bob Miller (318) 494-5333 EO Tank Contents Processed at Chemical Plant APRIL 26, 1990 -- vista Chemical Company's Lake Charles Chemical' Plant late this afternoon completed processing of watercontaminated ethylene oxide from a 25,000 gallon storage tank. "The emergency situation is over and all of our employees should report to work for their normal shifts. Roads around our plant have been reopened, and schools and local industry should be able to return to normal operations immediately," said John Friend, Chemical Plant manager. Friend reported that Vista had instrument and process systems in place to monitor and to control this type of emergency. "We also had the Community Awareness and Emergency Response system. That system was put together with the cooperation of the surrounding communities and local industry. The local emergency response officials and Vista officials think that the system worked very well," Friend noted. According to Friend, preliminary investigations point to a water leak in the internal cooling coil in the ethylene oxide tank as the cause of the water contamination. (Continued) For more information on Vista Chemical Company, see the reverse of this sheet. VPA 000007736 VISTA CHEMICAL PLANT EO TANK STATUS Continued "We've put together a team that has started an investigation of the causes of this 'incident so we can take steps to make sure it never happens again," stated Friend. "We're going to make sure we have the best systems for safely storing and using ethylene oxide in our plant. Our Lake Charles operation has had 28 years' experience in handling this hazardous chemical without a serious incident. We want to continue that record forever." Friend extended his thanks to the public officials of Westlake, Mossville, Calcasieu Parish for their help and cooperation in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion. In addition, he paid thanks to the members of the media who helped keep area residents*; informed during the incident. (4/26/90) ### UPA 000007737 Vista Chemical Company 4/26/90 Draft for use when emergency ends. We've completed removal of the water-contaminated ethylene oxide from the tank and our operations are returning to normal. The emergency situation is over and all of our employees should report to work for their normal shifts. Roads around our plant have been reopened, and schools and local industry should be able to return to normal operations immediately. Vista had in-plant systems in place to monitor and to control this type of . emergency. Those systems worked. We had the Community Awareness and Emergency Response system, put together with the cooperation of the surrounding communities and local industry, to alert the local emergency response officicals and the public, and we think that system worked very well, too. I regret the incident happened and the inconvenience and apprehension it caused for the citizens of Westlake, Mossville and surrounding communities. I want to thank the public officials of Westlake, Mossville, Calcacieu Parish for their help and cooperation in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion. And I particularly want to thank the members of the media who have helped us keep the people informed. We still don't have information on how the tank became contaminated with water. We've already put together a team that has started an investigation of the causes of this incident so we can take steps to make sure it never happens again. And we're going to make sure we have the best and state-of-the-art systems for safely storing and using ethylene oxide in our plant. We at Vista have had 28 years' experience in handling this hazardous chemical without a serious incident. We want a new record that runs forever. Again, thanks to everyone for your help and understanding. V`PA 000007738 If asked Q. You mean you're going to continue the operations that caused all these problems in the first place? Why aren't you going to close down this operation. A. We believe ethylene oxide, along with all the chemicals we use or make, are of great benefit to our society. For instance, EO is used to make household and industrial detergents and other cleaning products we all use every day. But we also believe that they must be handled with care, by trained, experienced people. That's how we expect to continue to operate our business. Q. How did the water contamination occur? A. As I said earlier, at this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. We have a team looking into the cause of the contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What type of cancer does it cause? A. Q. We've received some calls from some of your employees saying there have been repeated safety problems with this unit or that they have been exposed to EO in the unit. Would you comment on that? A. Q. When was this unit last inspected? A. Q. What did that inspection show? A. Q. You said you have a 28 year history of safe operations with this chemical. Weren't you part of Calcacieu Chemical's operations and didn't they blow up their plant as a result of an EO accident? A. Calcacieu Chemicals was a joint venture of Conoco and Cities Service. Vista, of course, was part of Conoco at one time. However, Calcacieu Chemicals' operations were totally separate from ours, with different plant management and different operations. They did manufacture ethylene oxide, but I'm not familiar with the facts about the incident you mentioned. ypA 0000773? Q. Do you manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from Oxychem , Facts about the Alcohol Ethoxylate Unit The unit was built in 1962 and has a capacity of 65 million pounds per year. EO is brought to the plant by rail car. Background At about 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon (April 25) Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. The contamination could have led to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which was only half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure when the emergency began. Trained operators in Vista's ethoxylate unit continuously monitored the temperature inside the tank. That would have given us the first indication if a chemical reaction was beginning. Vista personnel began removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this operation took almost 24 hours. If the uncontrollable chemical reaction had begun, operators could have dumped the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some of it could have been released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista told all non-essential Lake Charles Chemical Plant personnel to remain at home. We shut down our alcohols unit except for one growth reactor, because the alcohols unit is located just north of the ethoxylate unit and the wind was from the south. All other units at the chemical plant functioned normally, but some product shipments were disrupted yesterday and today. Construction on our EXAM project was halted and contract workers were told to go home. Both our VCM plant and our LAB plant operated normally throughout the emergency. Vista was in contact with the Mayor of Westlake, the police and other emergency personnel, as well as nearby industry throughout the emergency aand coordinated emergency actions with them. Both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, were closed by the city, as a precaution. Conoco shut down its turnaround operations last night, but made the decision to restart work this morning. Four Westlake schools, Westwood elementary, Western Heights elementary, Westlake High, and Mossville Elementary were closed today. Local media was very cooperative, maintaining coverage of the incident through the night and helping Vista communicate with its employees. 'v'PA 0GG00774G A Vista Chemical Company 4/26/90-3:20 Draft for use when emergency ends. We've completed removal of the water-contaminated ethylene oxide from the tank and our operations are returning to normal. The emergency situation is over and all of our employees should report to work for their normal shifts. Roads around our plant have been reopened, and schools and local industry should be able to return to normal operations immediately. Vista had in-plant systems in place to monitor and to control this type of emergency. Those systems worked. We had the Community Awareness and Emergency Response system, put together with the cooperation of the surrounding communities and local industry, to alert the local emergency response officicals and the public, and we think that system worked very well, too. I regret the incident happened and the inconvenience and apprehension it caused for the citizens of Westlake, Mossville and surrounding communities. I want to thank the public officials of Westlake, Mossville, Calcacieu Parish for their help and cooperation in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion. And I particularly want to thank the members of the media who have helped us keep the people informed. We still don't have information on how the tank became contaminated with water. We've already put together a team that has started an investigation of the causes of this incident so we can take steps to make sure it never happens again. And we're going to make sure we have the best systems for safely storing and using ethylene oxide in our plant. Our Lake Charles operation has had 28 years' experience in handling this hazardous chemical without a serious incident. We want to continue that record forever. Again, thanks to everyone for your help and understanding. UFA 000007741 A If asked Q. You mean you're going to continue the operations that caused all these problems in the first place? Why aren't you going to close down this operation. A. We believe ethylene oxide, along with all the chemicals we use or make, are of great benefit to our society. For instance, EO is used to make household and industrial detergents and other cleaning products we all use every day. But we also believe that they must be handled with care, by trained, experienced people. That's how we expect to continue to operate our business. Q. How did the water contamination occur? A. As I said earlier, at this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. We have a team looking into the cause of the contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What type of cancer does it cause? A. One study that included results from three occupational groups has shown evidence of an increased occurance of leukemia and stomach cancer. Other studies on worker populations have shown no significant increases in cancer rates. Q. We've received some calls from some of your employees saying there have been repeated safety problems with this unit or that they have been exposed to EO in the unit. Would you comment on that? A. Q. When was this unit last inspected? A. Q. What did that inspection show? A. Q. You said you have a 28 year history of safe operations with this chemical. Weren't you part of Calcacieu Chemical's operations and didn't they blow up their plant as a result of an EO accident? A. Calcacieu Chemicals was a joint venture of Conoco and Cities Service. Vista, of course, was part of Conoco at one time. However, Calcacieu Chemicals' operations were totally separate from ours, with different plant management and different operations. They did manufacture ethylene oxide, as well as ethylene VPA 000007742 To protect employees and the public, Vista told all non-essential Lake Charles Chemical Plant personnel to remain at home. We shut down our alcohols unit except for one growth reactor, because the alcohols unit is located just north of the ethoxylate unit and the wind was from the south. All other units at the chemical plant functioned normally, but some product shipments were disrupted yesterday and today. Construction on our EXAM project was halted and contract workers were told to go home. Both our VCM plant and our LAB plant operated normally throughout the emergency. Vista was in contact with the Mayor of Westlake, the police and other emergency personnel, as well as nearby industry throughout the emergency aand coordinated emergency actions with them. Both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, were closed by the city, as a precaution. Conoco shut down its turnaround operations last night, but made the decision to restart work this morning. Four Westlake schools, Westwood elementary, Western Heights elementary, Westlake High, and Mossville Elementary were closed today. Local media was very cooperative, maintaining coverage of the incident through the night and helping Vista communicate with its employees. Ur 00C"J? ?44 A / Q. Who's going to pay for the city and parish employees' overtime and other expenses incurred helping Vista with its emergency. A. I want to reemphasize the excellent cooperation of the local emergency response groups. Vista is willing to work with city, parish and state response organizations to insure that the extraordinary costs are covered, because we want to ensure the taxpayers don't have to pay for them. lv'PA 000007745 8=2S=12a..0s 15 ID:UISTA PUB RELATIONS TEL NO: 0877 P01 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company M/25/90 9:00 p.m. Since we last talked to you, the condition of the ethylene oxide tank has been stable. Our trained personnel continue to monitor the situation, and we're taking steps to empty the tank through the normal manufacturing process system. We're doing this to avoid dumping the tank through the emergency release system because some ethylene oxide could be released to the atmosphere if this was done. Our process has slowed somewhat, and we're now estimating that the tank will be emptied in about 15 to 18 hours. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, we've begun shutting down other manufacturing units near the ethylene oxide unit, and we've sent all unnecessary personnel home. We've notified nearby industry, and the roads north and south of the plant have been closed. We continue to be in touch with the Mayor of Westlake, the police and area emergency response personnel about the situation, and any additional actions will be coordinated with them. V V'PA 000007746 W3R-25-'90 18509 ID:UISTA PUB RELATIONS TEL NO: **874 P01 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 6:50 pjn. At about 2 p.m. this afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. That contamination could lead to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators are monitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first indication if a chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some may be released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor* The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry, through our coordinated emergency response system. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. gpA 000007747 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 First Draft This afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. Under certain circumstances, that contamination might lead to a runaway chemical reaction and explosion. ' The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. We are currently monitoring the temperature in the tank, which will give us warning if the chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system, but that could result in the release of a cloud of ethylene oxide to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. Use if asked Q. What are short-term health effects of EO? A. Inhalation can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the of the central nervous system. Q. What do you use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and industrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. A UFA 000007748 A* Vista Chemical Company 4/26/9Oytp.m. 5 We've completed removal of the water-contaminated ethylene oxide from the tank and our operations are returning to normal. The emergency situation is over and all of our employees should report to work for their normal shifts. Roads around our plant have been reopened, and schools and local industry should be able to return to normal operations immediately. Vista had instrument and process systems in place to monitor and to control this type of emergency. Those systems worked. We also had the Community Awareness and Emergency Response system. That system was put together with the cooperation of the surrounding communities, local officials and local industry. Vista thinks that system worked very well. I regret the incident happened and the inconvenience and apprehension it caused for the citizens of Westlake, Mossville and surrounding communities. I want to thank the public officials of Westlake, Mossville and Calcacieu Parish for their help and cooperation in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion. And I particularly want to thank the members of the media who have helped us keep the people informed. Our preliminary investigation points to a water leak in the internal cooling coil in the ethylene oxide tank as the cause of the water contamination. We've already put together a team that has started an investigation of the causes of this incident so we can take steps to make sure it never happens again. And we're going to make sure we have the best systems for safely storing and using ethylene oxide in our plant. Our Lake Charles operation has had 28 years' experience in handling this hazardous chemical without a serious incident. We want to continue that record forever. Again, thanks to everyone for your help and understanding. VPA 000007749 If asked Q. You mean you're going to continue the operations that caused all these problems in the first place? Why aren't you going to close down this operation. A. We believe ethylene oxide, along with all the chemicals we use or make, are of great benefit to our society. For instance, EO is used to make household and industrial detergents and other cleaning products we all use every day. But we also believe that they must be handled with care, by trained, experienced people.' That's how we expect to continue to operate our business. Q. How did the water contamination occur? A. As I said earlier, at this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. We have a team looking into the cause of the contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What type of cancer does it cause? A. One study that included results from three occupational groups has shown evidence of an increased occurance of leukemia and stomach cancer. Other studies on worker populations have shown no significant increases in cancer rates. Q. We've received some calls from some of your employees saying there have been repeated safety problems with this unit or that they have been exposed to EO in the unit. Would you comment on that? A. Q. When was this unit last inspected? A. Q. What did that inspection show? A. Q. You said you have a 28 year history of safe operations with this chemical. Weren't you part of Calcacieu Chemical's operations and didn't they blow up their plant as a result of an EO accident? A. Calcacieu Chemicals was a joint venture of Conoco and Cities Service. Vista, of course, was part of Conoco at one time. However, Calcacieu Chemicals' operations were totally separate from ours, with different plant management and different operations. They did manufacture ethylene oxide, as well as ethylene MPA 000007750 A glycol, used as auto coolant, but I'm not familiar with the facts about the incident you mentioned, Q. Do you manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from Oxychem. Q. How does EO react with water? Why did you take such drastic actions? A. We believe our actions were prudent considering the circumstances. Ethylene oxide can react very rapidly with water in the presence of a catalyst to form ethylene glycol, the principle ingredient in auto antifreeze. There was a remote possibility that impurities in the water could act as a catalyst to start this reaction. The ethylene glycol itself can then react with the EO to form polyethylene glycol, a polymer or plastic material which is nonhazardous. (Many molecules of EO are added together to form a long chain--a chain of paperclips being strung together.) Both reactions produce a lot of heat. All this heat then makes the reactions take place faster and faster and could lead to a runaway situation. If this takes place in a closed container, an explosion and fire could result. In our case, there has been no catalyst present, so a reaction hasn't taken place. Q. Who's going to pay for the city and parish employees' overtime and other expenses incurred helping Vista with its emergency. A. I want to reemphasize the excellent cooperation of the local emergency response groups. Vista is willing to work with city, parish and state response organizations to insure that the extraordinary costs are covered, because we want to make sure the taxpayers don't have to pay for them. Facts about the Alcohol Ethoxvlate Unit The unit was built in 1962 and has a capacity of 65 million pounds per year. EO is brought to the plant by rail car. Background At about 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon (April 25) Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. The contamination could have led to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which was only half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure when the emergency began. Trained operators in Vista's ethoxylate unit continuously monitored the temperature inside the tank. That would have given us the first indication if a chemical reaction was beginning. Vista personnel began removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, VPA 000007751 A converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this operation took almost 24 hours. If the uncontrollable chemical reaction had begun, operators could have dumped the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some of it could have been released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, etherlike odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista told all non-essential Lake Charles Chemical Plant personnel to remain at home. We shut down our alcohols unit except for one growth reactor, because the alcohols unit is located just north of the ethoxylate unit and the wind was from the south. All other units at the chemical plant functioned normally, but some product shipments were disrupted yesterday and today. Construction on our EXAM project was halted and contract workers were told to go home. Both our VCM plant and our LAB plant operated normally throughout the emergency. Vista was in contact with the Mayor of Westlake, the police and other emergency personnel, as well as nearby industry throughout the emergency aand coordinated emergency actions with them. Both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, were closed by the city, as a precaution. Conoco shut down its turnaround operations last night, but made the decision to restart work this morning. Four Westlake schools, Westwood elementary, Western Heights elementary, Westlake High, and Mossville Elementary were closed today. Local media was very cooperative, maintaining coverage of the incident through the night and helping Vista communicate with its employees. 000007752 Vista Chemical Company 4/26/90-4 p.m. DRAFT--employee News Bulletin at emergency end. A At about_____ TIME?, April 26, removal of the water-contaminated ethylene oxide from its storage tank was completed. Operations in the unit have returned to normal and employees are reporting to work for their normal shifts. How the tank became contaminated is still a mystery. A team of employees has been formed to investigate the causes so steps can be taken to ensure this never happens again. The Lake Charles Chemical Plant has a track record of 28 years' experience in handling ethylene oxide without a serious incident. We want to continue that record. Vista has in-plant systems in place that monitor and control this type of emergency. Those systems worked during this one. Vista participates in the Westlake/Lake Charles Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) system, put together with the cooperation of the surrounding communities and local industry. CAER alerts local emergency response officials and the public in case of an emergency. Obviously, that system worked very well, too. Provided by the Vista Chemical Co. Public Relations Department Questions? Contact Mike Reynolds, 713/588-3210. VPA 000007753 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 Second Draft At about 2 p.m. this afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. That contamination could lead to a runaway chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators are monitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first indication if a chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through die normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system, but that could result in the release of a cloud of ethylene oxide to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. Use if asked Q. How did the comtamination occur? A. At this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. Q. What are short-term health effects of EO? A. Inhalation can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the of the central nervous system. Q. What do you use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and industrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. Q. Do you manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from. A MPA 000007754 Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 6:50 p.m. At about 2 p.m. this afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. That contamination could lead to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators are monitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first indication if a chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some may be released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry, through our coordinated emergency response system. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. Use if asked Q. How did the comtamination occur? A. At this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What do you use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and industrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. Q. Do you manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from Union Carbide and Hoescht-Celanese. A VFA 00ooo?75g Official Statement Vista Chemical Company 4/25/90 7:05 p.m. At about 2 p.m. this afternoon, April 25, Vista Chemical personnel discovered that an ethylene oxide storage tank at its Lake Charles Chemical Plant in Westlake had been contaminated with water. That contamination could lead to a uncontrollable chemical reaction and explosion. The tank is a 25,000 gallon bullet-shaped tank, which is approximately half full of liquid ethylene oxide under pressure. Trained operators are monitoring the temperature of the inside of the tank. This will give us the first indication if a chemical reaction is beginning. Our personnel are removing the ethylene oxide from the tank through the normal manufacturing process system, converting it into alcohol ethoxylate products. However, this will take approximately 12-15 hours. If the reaction begins, we can dump the tank through an emergency release system. This system is designed to rapidly absorb the EO, but some may be released to the atmosphere. EO is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating, ether-like odor. The gas is explosive and flammable. To protect employees and the public, Vista has sent all unnecessary personnel home, and we have contacted the Mayor of Westlake, the assistant police chief and nearby industry, through our coordinated emergency response system. We understand that both Houston River Road, north of our plant, and Old Spanish Trail, south of our plant, are being closed by the city, as a precaution. As more information becomes available, we'll get it to you. Use if asked Q. How did the contamination occur? A. At this time, we do not know the cause of the water contamination. Q. What are the health effects of EO? A. Short-term exposure to high concentrations can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and depression of the central nervous system. EO is also a cancer-suspect agent when exposure occurs over long periods of time. Q. What do you use EO for? A. We use it to make alcohol ethoxylates, which are used in household and industrial cleaning products such as detergents, and personal care products, such as shampoos. Q. Do you manufacture EO? A. No. We purchase it from Union Carbide and Hoescht-Celanese. VPA 00000775 APR 26 '90 104S P. i Mike--FYI, press interviews as nf Ch 7) st m (one planned 9t noon with PRES3 INTERVIEWS rsom pgrvon did which-ong^ Frank Adams, Southwest Daily News hran Dickey, LC American Press Ch 7, Laniar Bourgeouix Ch 29, Cynthia___________ Ch 3, Lafayette, Kevin Roca LA99 radio KYKZ radio CH 29, Louis Lee and night until 11 pm., don't know w,hiyh Vista GEW: 1 a.m., Ch 29 live interview, Louis 1,-ee 3:40 a.m., Ch 10, Lafa^euc 4:50 a.m., LA99 radio, Kay Billeduiux AIsqJjEW--employee notifications and interviews 5 a.m. to 6:15 a m. through: LA99 radio KAOK radio KXZZ radio KTQQ radio KBILI radio KYKZ radio KPLC TV, Ch 7 Lake Charles KVHP TV, Fox Ch 29 KATC TV, Lafayette KLFY TV, Lafayette ohn mem 6 a.m., live interview with KPLC TV O; 8:?5 a.tn., live interview with Lamar BeaueimiSi, Ch 7, KPLC TV 9:00 a.m , interview with Louis Lee. KVliP Cr ?.9 TV, Lake Chares 9.15 a.m.. interview with_ _. Ch 6 TV, Beaumont 9:45 a.m., interview with Kay RiKwVai.iv I .A 99 radio 10.00 a.m., interview with David__ ., Ch 2 TV, Lalayettr -1U 10 a.m , interview with John Bridget, KYKZ radio 10.15 a.m , interview with Thelma O'Quain, Wt^tiake-Mo-'rt BiC. NVws 10:45 a.m., interview with Renee Resell, G; i2, fie.-.j'.'v.'ni 12 noon, live interview at mndh'uvk vrtup v.:V Ch 7 KPi C ' v . 'CO a.m., li\e tall, show interview wit;: RACK radio A VPA 00000775 APR-27-'90 FRI 15:03 1D:LCCF <J]STfi TEL : 10: 319 494 517i TIMTTAB;f Of EVENTS APRIL 24-26, 1590 VISTA CHEMICAL COMPANY LAKE CHARLES CHEMICAL PLANT, LIS'lhKE ETHYLENE OXIDE STORAGE TANK SH'.-AliuN F0c A Tuesday, April 24 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 3:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. 4:25 p.m. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. MC Plant operators notice variance in alcohol ethoxylate manufacturing process and began investigation to locate source of problem. Operators determine water Is prefer: 1 r. 2S,OOo gallon ethylene oxide {0) storage tank. Plant personnel begin dialogue with Vistc unc L0 industry engineers. Plant management response team meet: to era'iyza situation, gather additional data and 4 -lefitify options for resolving situation. Non-essential pi uni. pit 5 or:r:-rT Lrd personnel sent hcrae. learn meaLe/i sot CAE A. M mo: i or.. PI c * ; perper-'e; notify We^'ake officials Conoco ar.u othe- Vlsra plants ir v*estluke. Roadblocks i'-~e sot up on U'J Spanish Va'-l cid Houston River Road. Vista Co'-v: Ce-ie- is establ isnsd at pi -r.* s Main Office. Mqd' 0 Le':i" * *" is r. t a". $he m he>t i a^ r * : y Hall. Cc-.-pto' .. r,;;:o rc'-cw$l of. I,;-of E> fro- f-uf th-cugr nonurtl m:-.r aricri ng ''batch" Pv-re <?*.: converting it to alcohol ethoxylates. f,-1 t'ne cf completion set at 12-15 hours. Plcut vf 1 *.c<<sU begin press interviews to inform citizens of situation. MPA 000007758 APR-2?-'90 FRI 15:04 ID:LCCP UIS^A TEL NQ:31& -r>4 z!72 3233 A Thursday, April 26 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 5:08 p.m. 5:15 p.m. Vista officials notify office an > cont'uci employees through radio and iV ar,nc-ui.cement s t u remain at home. School officials announced fou*- school closings for the day. Vista officials announce significant progress has been made--over 50% of 0 removed arid-'processed. Tank is empty. Vista announces "all clear" th-ough CAER system. Final press briefing held at West^Ke E it> Haii. VPA 000007759 LCCP SCENARIO 1 The E. 0. Blowdown system provides for dumping FA-1 to a water filled dilution pond. -The system consists of a 6" line from FA-1 to the pond where it then connects to a series of 10 distribution nozzles placed on the bottom of the water pond. Water can be injected into the blowdown flow if needed. Emission Rate Total Emission Rate Elevation Spill Area Location Gas Composition FA-1 Volume E.O. Liquid Density E.O. Vapor Density 2.9 lb./hr./ft.2 1.2 lb./ft.2 Pond Surface 5' above grade 2 Pond Surface Area 150,000 ft. S.W. MeCl Unit Ethylene Oxide with Entrained Water 25,000 gallon maximum 7.24 lbs./gallon (.8711) 1.52 (air - 1) Emission Rates are based on FA-1 containing 25,000 gallons and that dumping requires 25 minutes. 003/PED21/4 LCCP-I l*JPA 000007760 yPf, 00000776 UFA 000007763 UPA 000007764 * VPA 000007765 A -1 VPA 00000776? UF'A 000007768 OPfffATIOM \-{Zc> rr\ On 10^ Cote. feui tXLS. A HANDLING OF ETHYLENE OXIDE Ethylene Oxide is a flammable liquid and easily ignited. It has an auto-ignition temperature, in air, of 429C. {804F) and can burn at as little as 3% mixture in air. Open flames, sparks, and internal combustion engines can ignite even small amounts. The vapor poses the additional threat of flashback if ignited. a vapor that will decompose violently when exposed to certain temperatures. Specifically, at 560C (t040F), it will explode in a contained atmosphere. An attribute of Ethylene Oxide that deserves great respect is the susceptibility of Ethylene Oxide vapor to decomposition if the vapor is pure enough and if it is exposed to a high temperature. The decomposition can be quite violent, especially at higher pressures. Recent experiments have also given evidence of similar Ethylene Oxide decompositions in the liquid phase. However, the pressures and temperatures required are higher than will normally be encountered in the shipment and storage of Ethylene Oxide. t'PA 00000774? ! PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES toxic and, therefore, the vapor should not be inhaled. At this time a threshold limit of 50 ppm in air is required by OSHA as a safe con centration for daily eight hour exposures in a 40 hour week. However, the standard for Union Carbide employees is 5 ppm TWA-8. Nausea, respiratory ailments, and/or death may result if Ethylene Oxide is inhaled in greater concentrations. Overexposure for long periods may lead to desensitization. procedures to r Unloading highly reactive with many things, including air and water. This can be beneficial under controlled circumstances; however, this reac tivity can be dangerous during unloading. Ethylene Oxide can react with trace amounts of such substances as alkalies, metal oxides, metal chlorides or acids which may cause a dangerous rise in the temperature and pressure leading to a fire or explosion. Once it has mixed with other substances its properties may change, possibly lowering the temperatures at which it will ignite or vaporize. Ethylene Oxide comes in two forms: liquid and vapor. We, at Union Carbide, transport it in its liquid form because it's safer and more stable than as a vapor. The liquid can vaporize if it comes in con tact with water, including moist air or earth, because it has a flash point of less than -18C (0F). This is a factor to consider when dealing with spills, leaks, and disposal. Vaporization can also occur if Ethylene Oxide is mixed with alcohol, ether, or other organic solvents. Remember that these vapors are flammable, explosive, and toxic. If it is mixed with water at temperatures ranging from 06 to 10*C (32 to 5CPF), it may form a hydrate resembling ice, which, upon thawing, may release flammable and toxic vapors or cause severe skin blistering if touched. Ethylene Oxide is completely water soluble. Its flammable hazard < UPA 000007770 - ,vw*r.' I * PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES can be neutralized by water when it is diluted at a minimum of 100 volumes of water to one of Ethylene Oxide. At this diluted concen tration, Union Carbide has found that it is no longer flammable or explosive. At concentrations of less than 100 volumes of water to one volume of Ethylene Oxide, it is not considered safe. It may still ignite and cause a blistering of the skin if touched. In all cases the toxic hazard will still exist. When Ethylene Oxide is stored longer than two weeks, for example as a reference sample, the temperature should not exceed 15C (59F); for shorter periods, the temperature should not exceed 30C (85*F). Keep Ethylene Oxide away from open flames and other heat sources. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ETHYLENE OXIDE LIQUID Molecular Weight................................................ Apparent Specific Gravity at 2U/:zu u. 406/08 F.).......................... 44.05 0.8711 aSd. Gr./At. at 20 to 30aC. (68 to 86aF.) .. . 1.00140 Coefficient of Expansion at 20aC. {68 #F.) ... . 0.00161 WaterSolubility................................................ Heat of Vaporization at 1 atm........................... . Complete . 6.1 Kcal/g. mole Surface Tension................................................ Viscosity at 10C. (50aF.)................................. . 28.0 dynes per cm. . 0.28 cps. Vapor Pressure at 20aC. (68aF.)...................... . 1095 mm. Hg Boiling Point at 760 mm.................................... . 10.4C. (50.7*F.) at 300 mm................................... . - 11.0'C. (- 12.2F.) at 10 mm.................................... . -- 66C. {-- 86.8F.) AB.p./Ap. at 740 to 760 mm. Hg........................ . 0.033 "C. per mm. Freezing Point ................................................... . - 112.6C. (- 170.7'F.) Refractive Index. n0 at 7aC. (44.6aF.)............. . 1.3597 Heat of Fusion.................................................. Specific Heat at 20C. (68aF.) ......................r ------------ s. . 1.236 kcal/g. mole . 0.44 cal. per q. oer8C. Explosive Limits in Airat 760 mm. Hg........... . Upper............. . 100% by volume ) Lower............. . 3% bv volume- J--, Plash Point, 1 ag open cup (AS 1M Method 0 131U)...................... . < - 18C. {<0aF.)' Critical Temperature ................................. . 196.0C.(384.88F.) Critical Pressure................. ............. . 1043 osia Auto-ignition Temperature in Airat 1 atm. .. ...........................r. 429C. f804F.1 ) Decomposition Temperature of Pure Vapor at 1 atm.................... . 560 aC. (1040aF.) Heat of Combustion of Gas, gross............. . 312.15 kcal/g. mole Heat of Formation......... Thermal Conductivity at (77F) . 12.2 kcal/g. mole . 0.00002961 cal.-cm. per sec. per cm.1 peraC. Commercial material The properties listed on this page are the important ones you should be aware of when handling or storing Ethylene Oxide. It is important to remember the effects of heat and pressure. Should a tank car be exposed to open flames, its contents could be heated to a point where the car explodes. When heated, Ethylene Oxide can explode at TMer l.emPera*ure there are even trace amounts of air present. When it is contaminated with other substances, the temperature at which these reactions will take place will be different, usually lower. 00000???* t Procedures fo r Unloading 4/26/90 Calcasieu Chemical fire/explosion Sources: Michael Reynolds Jack Cameron, ext, 3328 Background summary: EO is a very dangerous material to make and have around. In the past two years, two EO plant, in Europe have blown up. Vista has never made its own EO, but always purchased it from another company. Some EO suppliers, very nervous about liability, stopped making it and/or refused to transport the material. This restriction on availability, coupled with ethylene price increases, drove the price of EO up from $.25/lb. to $.55/lb. several years ago. More recently, with the prices of ethylene, EO and ethylene glycol dropping, some people are getting out of the business and availability is not a problem. What happened at Calcasieu Chemical: In the late 70s, a fire occurred at Calcasieu Chemical in La. (partnership between Conoco and City Services) which destroyed one of the plant's four EO reactors. There were no injuries or deaths. The reactor was rebuilt; the plant was modernized and ran for two more years. The unit was shutdown for business reasons--the partners decided it was not a profitable operation. Ethylene gas is reacted with oxygen over a catalyst to make EO. This combination is very combustible/flammable. The EO is then "cleaned" and converted into ethylene glycol. 000007772 IABC U.S. District 5 Silver Quill Statement of Goals and Objectives A 1. Entrant's name and organization: Chris Bozman--Public Relations Coordinator, Vista Chemical Company 900 Threadneedle, Houston, Texas 77079 713/588-3211 Title and description of entry: "Ethylene Oxide Incident" Category 1(c), Communication Programs--Crisis Communication Entry includes: communication materials (press statements, employee bulletins, press release, press kit, de briefing speech) print newsclips video newsclips videotape of crisis response debriefing audio tape of crisis response debriefing copies of congratulatory letters and memos 2. Problem or opportunity: A. Background Vista Chemical's largest manufacturing facility is located in Westlake, Louisiana, less than five miles from Lake Charles. The nearly 400 employees at this location produce a variety of chemicals used to make consumer products ranging from vinyl siding to shampoo. The Lake Charles area is heavily industrialized; in fact, the overwhelming majority of jobs held by the 160,000 residents of Calcasieu Parish are directly or indirectly tied to refining and petrochem ical manufacturing. Fortunately, Vista has a history of maintaining a fairly positive and open relationship with the community. However, awareness and concern among citizens and local environmental groups over pollution and safety issues has increased steadily over the past several years. Even in the best of times (non-crisis), maintaining a favorable public opinion requires continual com munity involvement, strong relationships with local media and sound decisions regarding pub lic relations policy and practice. Much of this responsibility at Vista's Louisiana facility falls on the shoulders of the plant manager, supported heavily by Vista's corporate public relations staff in Houston. As a corporate PR staff member, I was assigned part-time to Vista's Lake Charles chemical complex last fall to assist plant management in building a foundation of proactive media and community relations activities. The strength of this foundation was put to the test last April, when a potentially serious and life-threatening situation developed at the plant. 1 000007773 A B. The Problem On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 25, employees at Vista's plant in Westlake discovered the presence of water inside a-storage tank containing ethylene oxide, a chemical used in the manufacture of laundry detergent. Ethylene oxide can be highly volatile. The combination of water and ethylene oxide could create a runaway chemical reaction, leading to a potentially devastating explosion and fire, capable of destroying all of Vista's facility and the surrounding neighborhoods. Plant management immediately assembled a Crisis Response Team to evalu ate the situation and determine possible solutions. At this time, the plant manager notified Mike Reynolds, corporate public relations manager in Houston, and asked for PR staff mem bers to be sent to the site for media relations assistance. The Crisis Response Team knew that minute-by-minute, around-the-clock monitoring of the storage tank's temperature would give plant employees the first indication that a chemical re action had begun. If a reaction did begin, they realized only one option would remain--to "dump" the contents of the tank into a nearby waste treatment pond. However, doing so might expose employees and citizens to a toxic cloud of ethylene oxide. The Crisis Response Team concluded that the safest way to control the contaminated ethylene oxide was to empty the contents of the tank through the plant's normal manufacturing process; in other words, make product. However, this process would take time. Initial estimates for completion ranged from 15 to 18 hours. To ensure the safety of Westlake citizens during this lengthy process, roads surrounding the plant were blocked immediately and nearby schools and businesses were closed for Thursday. Just in case, evacuation plans were coordinated with Westlake City of ficials. 3. Goals and Objectives To continually update employees, neighbors, city officials, emergency response agencies and other citizens in Calcasieu Parish through local and regional media concerning the status of the ethylene oxide situation, even if all that could be said was, "The situation is unchanged. We're continuing to make progress in draining the tank and eliminating the danger." To maintain Vista's credibility and favorable public image as a responsible, safety-conscious em ployer and good neighbor among local media and Calcasieu Parish citizens. 4. Implementation Reynolds (corporate PR manager) established two Crisis Communication Teams--one to give re source and backup support from Houston, headed by him, and one on the "front line" in Lake Charles, headed by me. The Lake Charles PR team loaded a car with a Macintosh computer and printer, press release sta tionery and other equipment and materials that would be needed to coordinate press briefings. With assistance from the Houston PR team, the plant's employee relations director gave initial statements to the press late Wednesday afternoon and early evening. Gretchen Weis and I (the Lake Charles PR team) arrived on the scene at 11 p.m. and established 2 'v'PA G0GG07774 a media center at the City Hall in Westlake, still within the community but far enough away from the plant to ensure the safety of the press. Gretchen took the "night shift," relieving the plant's employee relations director, and I checked in at a nearby hotel. I relieved the Gretchen at 7 a.m.-Mary Ann Stephenson left Houston at 9 a.m. to join the Lake Charles PR team. The Houston PR team published and distributed the first bulletin to Vista employees worldwide on Thursday morning concerning the situation in Lake Charles. The Lake Charles PR team gave on-camera TV updates and on-the-air radio updates almost hourly to the press as requested throughout the night and all day Thursday. Several stations set up live broadcast facilities in the parking lot for around-the-clock coverage. Mary Ann Stephenson arrived in Lake Charles at 11 a.m., allowing me to assist the plant manag er at the plant with communication wrap-up plans and last-minute on-camera interviews. As the situation neared a successful completion by early afternoon on Thursday--about 20 hours after it began--the Houston PR team and the Lake Charles PR team worked together to plan a late afternoon press conference. We produced a final statement to be read by the plant manager and a press release announcing the successful resolution. Mary Ann Stephenson and I staged the press conference, announcing the plant manager's in tention to read his statement and field questions. All Lake Charles-area media were represented. We faxed press releases to regional media who were unable to attend. The Houston PR team distributed the second bulletin to Vista employees worldwide on Friday morning, announcing the successful resolution of the situation. The Lake Charles PR team continued working Friday morning to help the plant manager prepare his presentation for the afternoon debriefing, conducted by the Local Emergency Planning Coun cil (LEPC). We produced the plant manager's speech, a timetable of events, photos of the af fected storage tank and a fact sheet on Vista's Lake Charles Chemical Complex. We prepared press kits containing the above materials, as well as the press release issued the day before, to distribute at the meeting. Constraints: The pressures of time and stress were tremendous. The potential for environmental damage and loss of life was extremely high. Southwest Louisiana turned its attention to this crisis for an in tense 24-hour period. The plant manager and his team juggled the need to solve the problem quickly and safely with the citizens' need to know what was happening, and how it might affect their lives. The Houston and Lake Charles PR teams had to skillfully juggle reporters' deadlines, senior management approvals, plant management requests and re-writes, digging for answers to technical questions and responses to sensitive issues, and planning for various possible scenarios quickly and effectively to create a win-win resolution, both for Vista and for the community. Results and Evaluations. The stated objectives were met: Including the late afternoon press conference on Thursday, April 26, approximately 40 direct press contacts were made within about a 24-hour period, an average of approximately one eve yPA 00007775 3 ry 40 to 45 minutes. (See video press clip tape enclosed, copies of newsclips and list of press interviews.) Members of local and regional media oongratulated Vista in writing and verbally, calling the manner in which the company, handled communication about the incident a "textbook case." (See copies of press clips, video and audio tapes of 4/27 LEPC debriefing meeting.) Members of the Local Emergency Planning Council and Westlake City officials expressed re spect and congratulations for the example Vista set in how a crisis situation should be handled (See copies of press dips, video and audio tapes of 4/27 LEPC debriefing meeting.) Vista senior management and Lake Charles plant management recognized the exemplary ef forts displayed by the Public Relations Department in maintaining Vista's positive public im age in Lake Charles. (See copies of congratulatory/appreciation memos.) 4 4 ooop??6 Lake Charles American Press April 26, 1990 Vista monitoring tank after leak discovered By FRAN DICKEY American Press Staff Writer derneath it to keep the tank cool. There was a leak in that line and some water get into the WESTLAKE - Vista Chemi- ethelyne oxide and water can caj_fn. is monitoring a potential- cause a premature reaction," [y~explosive tank which was con Miller said. taminated Wednesday when "If that happens what we water from a cooling line leaked would have to do is right away into ethyiene oxide stored 1 vent all the product out of the there. line, we call that a blow down, Bob Miller, director of em and we would send that to a ployee relations, said personnel pond. The risk you have with do-. discovered the contamination ing that is a vapor cloud and if it sometime after lunch. hit an ignition source it could The process of removing the cause an explosion," he said. ethyle oxide from the tank Ethylene Oxide is a colorless, through the normal manufactur gas at normal pressure, with an ing process -- converting it into irritating ether-like odor. It is alcohol ethoxylate products -- explosive and flammable. should be finished today if all The 25,000-gallon bullet- goes well, Miller said. shaped tank is about half-full. . Much of the plant was shut The Westlake Police Depart down and parts of Houston Riv ment, Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs er Road, north of the plant, and Office and fire departments Old Spanish Trail, south of the were on the scene. plant, have been closed as a pre caution. However, no evacua tion has been called. Under certain circumstances, the contamination might lead to a runaway chemical reaction and explosion, Miller said. "Normally, there is*a line un Southwest Daily News April 26, 1990 frv. A Possible Vista emergency alerts Westlake residents Officials ofVista Chemical and chemical reaction and explosion," completely drained. the City of Westlake were on full Miller explained. He said Vista Miller said the tank, with a alert Wednesday, monitoring a personnel were monitoring temp capacity of 25,000 gallons, was potentially-dangerous tank of eratures of the tank, since a rise being reduced by normal manu ethylene oxide. in temperature could signal a facturing methods. "If the temp Late Wednesday night, Calca possible reaction. erature begins to rise, we would sieu Parish School Superinten Mayor Dixon said the city's dump the product into a pond dent Charles Oakley announced emergency preparedness plan designed for thatpurpose," Miller that Westlake High School, was in full operation, although at explained. Arnett Middle School, and West 7 p.m., the city's emergency "The problem with that is that ern Heights, Westwood and warning system had not been dumping it could form a vapor . Mossvflle elementary schools needed. cloud, which could cause an willnotholdclasses Thursday at "We have blocked off all roads explosion if it reached a heat the request of Mayor Dudley in what might be a danger area," source," Miller added.. Dixon. Dixon reported. "Only essential Dixon praised Vista's handling 4 Vista officials said construc personnel needed at the plants of the emergency, "We have been ;; tion workers shouldnotreport to are being allowed in, our fire and talking to experts aS over Vista prolects Thursday police departments are on stand country, and all agree tha&jspi morning. by, and we have ringed the area long as the material is stabilised, ! The chemical, which Vista where evacuation might be there's no problem," the mayor^ Director of Employee Relations required. We've notified the high said." 5v!- >vv -v.^: Bob Miller said is used in making school and Red Cross, and ifthere "We (city officials) have beelf^ alcohol ethoxylate product, was is a need, we can move immedi into the plant, weNre seen'what^ slowly being drained from a tank ately to evacuate anyone in the Vista people are doing .antfL containing some 12,000 gallons of the chemical. The potential danger was from water used to cool the tank. *Tf danger." Dixon and Miller agreed a long night was in store. The problem was noted byVista workers about everyone is working wettv? together," Dixon added. TTfo^ volume of the material' in thO1^ tank is constantly decreasing'^ ethylene oxide is mixed with *4:15 p.m., and it may be late and the danger decreases,1' water, you have the potential ofa Thursday before the tank is proportionately." UPA 000007779 Baton Rouge State Times April 26, 1990 five schools close in Calcasieu after leak poses hazard By The Associated Press WESTLAKE -- A leak in a chemical storage tank which posed an explosion threat forced the closure of all five schools in Westlake and Mossville today, authorities said. The leak was discovered Wednesday in a 25,000-gallon tank of ethylene oxide at the Vista ChemicaLCo. plant near Westlake, said Bob~Miller7a company spokesman. He said some water from a cooling line got into the tank, which was halffull, and under certain circumstances, the contamination could result In a runaway chemical reaction, arid explosion. "Normally, there is a line underneath it to keep the tank cool,'' Miller.said. "There was a leak in that line and some water got into the ethylene oxide, and water can cause a premature reaction. "If that happens, whatwe-would have to do is right away vent alltbe product out of the line -- we call that a blow down -- andwe would send that to a pond. The risk you have with doing that is a vapor cloud, and if it hit an ignition source, it could cause an explosion," he . said. Calcasieu Parish Schools Superintendent Charles Oakley ordered the four schools in. Westlake -7 two elementary schools, a middleschool and a high school --and the one elementary :' school in Mossville closed today. `1 T - Westlake is onthe western edgeoftJieC. city of Lake Charles. Mossville Is about five miles west of Westlake. " :v- -A Ethylene oxide is a colorless gas at^ normal pressure, with an irritating.-? ether-like/ odor. It is explosive and"^ flammable.: . . . .'ri' Vista officials were monitor(rig the" tank's temperature. ;f :' "If the temperature stays constant we can continue through the normal^ process of getting the product Out of thev tank. Everything has beenstable ridce,; we discovered It," Millersaid.'*1. . He said all the ethylene otlde shodd be removed from the Unk today.'; ,., .! The Times (Louisiana) April 27, 1990 A Explosion threat shuts down town WESTLAKE (AP) - Five schools and most local businesses closed Thursday because of what authorities said was the threat of an explosion in a storage tank where a chemical was contaminated by a water leak. Mayor Dudley Dixon declared an end to the emergency about 5 p.m. Thursday after officials at Vista Chemical Co. emptied the Z5,U0U gallon tank. Much of the plant was shut down during the procedure and sections of roads near the plant were closed to traffic as a precaution, police and deputies said. However, there was no evacuation. Company spokesman Bob Miller said water from a cooling line got into the tank, which was half-full of ethylene oxide. He said the leak was discovered during a routine sampl ing Wednesday. The chemical, which is both ex plosive and flammable, is used in the manufacture of household cleansers, hair shampoo and radi ator fluid. It is a colorless gas at nor mal pressure, with an irritating ether-like odor. Under certain circumstances the ., contamination could result in a run away chemical reaction and ex plosion, Miller said. Plant manager.John Friend said the temperature of the volatile chemical is stabilized in its holding tank by internal coils that circulate refrigerated water. About 11,500 gallons of the chemical were con taminated by the slight rupture in the cooling coils, he said. Company officials decided that, rather than dumping the chemical in a tailing pond and releasing in flammable gas, the best method of dealing with the chemical would be to continue processing it until the tank was empty. Friend said the situation, though critical, had been constantly:, monitored by instruments and pro cessing systems that were already in place. * "Our preliminary investigation^ points to a waterleak in the internal cooling coil... as the cause of the . water contamination," said Friend/. "We've already put together a team ; that has started an investigation of the causes of this Incident" ; y ' < Calcasieu Parish Schools Super intendent Charles 'Oakley/closed; four schools in .Westlake -- two. elementary schools, a middlescboolr and a hifth school -- and the one ? elementary.school in MossviUe. ,.) J Westlake is bathe western edge of ! the city of Lake Charles. : * Mg VPA 000007780 Baton Rouge Morning Advocate April 28, 1990 325 o Threat of tank explosion shuts schools, businesses WESTLAKE (AP) r- Five schools and most local businesses closed Thursday because of what authorities said was the threat of an explosion in a storage tank .where a chemical was contaminated by a water leak. Mayor Dudley Dixon declared an end to the emergency about 5 p.m. Thursday after officials at Vista Chemical Co. emptied the 25,000-gallon tank. ; Much of the plant was shut down during the procedure, and sections of roads near the plant were closed to traffic as a precaution, police and deputies said. However, there was no evacuation. Company spokesman Bob Miller said water from a cooling line got into the tank, which was half full of ethylene oxide. He said the leak was discovered _j_during a routine sampling Wednesday.* - The chemical, which is both explosive and flammable. Is used in the manufacture of household cleansers, hair shampoo and radiator fluid. It is a colorless gas at normal pressure, with an irritating ether-like odor. Under certain circumstances, the contamination could result In a runaway chemical reaction and explosion, Miller said. Plant manager John Friend said the temperature of the volatile chemical is i stabilized in its holding tank by internal i coils that circulate refrigerated water, i About 11,500 gallons of the chemical j was contaminated by the slight rupture j in the cooling coils, he said. i Company officials decided that,.; rather than dumping the chemical in a j tailing pond and releasing inflammable] gas, the best method of dealing with the] chemical would be to continue] processing it until the tank was empty,J Friend said the situation, though.' critical, had been constantly monitored by instruments andprocessing systenta that were already Isplace. "Our preliminary investlgStlpil points to a water leak in the internal1 cooling coll... as'the cause of the: water contamination," said Friend.! "We've already put togethra teamtlu^j has started an investigationi of the causes of this Incident" Calcasieu Parish > ^^SchotS] Superintendent Charles Oakley cloii$] four schools in Westlake elementary schools, a middle school anjfj a high school -- and the one elementary;] school in Mossville. ' Westlake is on the western edgeoftbel city of Lake Charles. Mossville is abopt five-miles west of Westlake.' ^ A Vjpft 000007781 Lake Charles American Press April 27, 1990 4 emergency By KERRY JAMISON American Press Staff Writer WESTLAKE''- Emergency measures taken by the Vista Chemical Company and West*" lake police, following the dis covery of a contaminated chemi cal tank, were called off at 5 p.m. Thursday by Westlake May or Dudley Dixon. The contamination of Vista's only ethylene oxide holding tank was discovered during a routine sampling of the chemi cal at 2 p.m. Wednesday by Vista employees. :f "Our preliminary investiga tion points to a water leak in the internal cooling coil ... as the cause of the water contamina tion," said plant manager John Friend. "We've already put to gether a team t?.at has started an investigation f the causes of this incident" ' Ethylene oxid.Ms used in the manufacture of household cleansers, hair shampoo and ra diator fluid. The processing of this chemical is only one of eight different operations at the plant f ,. Fridftti said the temperature of the Volatile chemical is stabi lized in its holding tank'by.'in ternal coils that circulate'refrig erated water. Approximately 11,500 gallons of the chemical were, contaminated by a slight rupture in the Cooling coils. The estimated cost of the material was $30,000 to $50,000;-*. - ^ Authorities at theiWfranl de cided that rather tharidumping the chemical .in a tailing pond the chemical would be to contin ue processing it until the tank was empty. , During . the emergency, streets around the Vista plant were blocked and some plant employees and school.children stayed home. Local businesses were closed.' '| Everyone agrees the threaf was very;real. 7 ~ .. ;`fAt room temperature ethyl- ene oxide emits a highly explo- siye gas,7^&aid Mark-Delaney, and releasing inflammable^as^ Pli the best method of deajin^jt^' vista Page 5 VPA 000007782 3*% er Vista Chemical Company operators Irene McGuire and Kenneth Miller mofrifcfrthe^ internal temperature of the Ethylene Oxide storage tank that was contarniiiated.attf Westlake facility. Ruptured cooling coils inside the tank were, .discovere^^^^s^' afternoon setting off a 27-hour emergency cordon around the*;planTlie ejyiergencyvp ended at 5 p.m. Thursday. Vista m Continued from Page 1 terns that were already in place. Response System was also fri ^"We'lcept a'close eye On the terft-^^fafce in Westlake in which the assistant professor of chemistry at McNeese State University. "In the right concentration i{ is highly irritating tolthe eyes land can cause pulmonary edema (swelling of the lung tissues) when inhaled. " Friend said the situation at the plant, though critical, had been constantly monitored by perature," said Vista spokesman Calcasieu Sheriffs Department; Bob Miller. "If it had started to--the 'Civil 'Defense andrseypra go up we would have had planty . ^ off-duty policemen helpedffiujj of time to divert the .ethylenegjifa SBi ' oxide into a pond." ^ V - ` ^o^^icerSlid^rtncl^nt^col1 Dixon congratulated Vista on. the city $1,000 to $2,000in ovec-v reporting the problem immedi-. time:man-hours, a cost Friend ately to local civic authorities- said .the company would.disciiisi? rather than trying to solve the - a positive, responsejto.,;^'* problem in secrecy. ,i: ,Westlake-schools* and* bus!-* instruments and processing sys- A Community Awareness and,, nesses will be.open;today. VPA 000007763 S outhw est D a ily News A p r il 27, 1990 VPA 000007784 Vista, Westlake return to normal VistaChemical Cpmpany andthe JViend. "We'regpingto make sux^p.,^ p.m. .Wednesday evening when from the tank, and roadblocki City ofWestlake began resuming we have thebeat systems for safe- plant officials noted a leak in a around the plant were removed, normal activitieslate Thursday, )y airing' ana using ethylene doolingcoil inside a 26,000 gallon Friend said cooperation of city after Vista officials announced a oxide, in our rfaht". r~j storage containing 11,000 employees^ its polioe and fire potontially-dangeroxu chemical Westlake MayorDudleyDixon gallons of ethylene oxide. Had departments, and the assistance tank had been emptied. joined Friend in a deep sigh of sufficient water mixed with the of the Sheriffs Department and, ViftaM^nager John Friend^ relief. All available city police, chemical, a reaction could have Civil Defense, had key roles in the ; announced ah'`aUcleir* at a late-'' flhe persohneland other employ- occurred, with the potential ofan success of the situation. 1 afternoon press conference at ees, bolstered by a number of explosion. "The emergency situation is ;Westlake City . Hall, ending a Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs depu- "The danger was serious", over and all of our employees 'tense 24-hour alert which began ties, were moHlired to virtually Friend admitted. should report to work for their at the'jtlant Wednesday seal off a wide area'surrounding Vista employees maintined a normal shifts", said Friend, ^afternoon/ , the Vista plant. vigil at the tank throughout "Hoads around tfur plant have "I, regret the/.incident Dixon h^d special praise for.. Wednesday night and Thursday, been reopeened, and schools and 'happened", said Friend,, a ' the media, particularly television monitoring temperatures to see local industry should be able to 'commit which may qualify^as .reports during the tense .night that a critical point was not return to normal operations 'the understatement of the yealv; and day. "Television helped reached. Normal plant manufac- immediately". **"" on the v turing procedures were used* to Classes jfivere suspended ...... ... 'jtwple ? the- tank. - 'i-` Thursday at Westwood, Western Late - Thursday, Vista Haights and Mossville elemen . of 'the tary schools;' Arnett Middle ..v/V.W .vSrfc :ttd ''Chemicals Sea vista Pags7B wn OinP Page 2. Vista From Page 1A School and Westlake High School. Construction work also was halted at Vista, and traffic to and from Vista and the adjacent Conoco plant was curtailed during the emergency. Friend reported that Vista had instrument and process systems in place to monitor and to control this type of emergncy. "We also had the Community Awareness and Emergency Reponse system. That system was put together with the cooper ation of the surrounding communities and local industry. The local emergency response officials and Vista officials feel the system worked very well,* Friend noted. According to Friend, prelimin ary investigations point to a water leak in the internal cooling coil in the ethylene oxide tank as the cause of the water, contamination. Keeping watch % Vista Chemical Company operatprs Kenneth Miller and Irene McGuire maintain a vigil at an ethylene oxide tank which kept plant officials and the nearby city of Westlake on a 24-hour alert. Miller and McGuire werei'ineriribe^i^fa ful check on tKithfemal tempejratufpbf certain no (Vista .Chemica|-phdto)- ' !9% y, ^ 000007785 Southwest Daily News April 29. 1990 Page City back to normal after alert It's business as usual in West* lake this week, and traffic down Sulphur Avenue and Houston River Road is heavy once again. The seriousness of last week's scare appears to be forgotten, a The city faced a real emergency; last Wednesday evening when a water line erupted inside a sto^ age tank at Vista Chemmicsl containing ethylene oxide cieafr,-; ing the possibility ofan explc A citywide alert was caUed-M city and plant officials together and had the sit under control immediately*1 available city police, fire pel nel and other employees, tered by a number of Calcasieu^ Parish Sheriffs deputies, were*' mobilized to virtually seal off a; wide area surrounding the plant. . Vista Chemical Company >9fi4 the City of Westlake began; resuming normal activities latej Thursday, after Vista officials announced a potentially- dangerous chemical tank^-bad been emptied. -' Vista Manager John Friend announced an "all clear" at alittiV afternoon press conference at Westlake City Hall, ending a tense 24-hour alert which began at the plant Wednesday afternoon. "I regret the incident happened", said Friend. "We've put together a team that has' started an investigation of the cause of this incident so we can take steps to make sure it happens again. We're make sure we have thfj^ Systems for safely storing- using ethylene oxide plant?. Westlake Mayor Dudley, jagfed Friend ih a deep tiajftf. Dixon hsd spedal, jfcrthe media, particularly Man reports during the yight and day, '-^Television Ously by staying on the | night to keep people inft the situation? the mayor The danger was1 serio Friend, admitted,. ' Wednesdaynigjit andjfht BIU normal Roads' been reopen 'S ' t/PA 000007786 Alert from P. 1A 71oca] industry should be able to ^return to normal operations immediately*. 1; Classes were suspended ;Thursday at Westwood, Western Heights and Moesville elemen tary schools, Arnett Middle [School and Westlake High School. Construction work also -was halted at Vista, and traffic to [and from Vista and the adjacent [Conoco plant was curtailed during the emergency. [* Friend reported that Vista had [instrument and process systems -tn place to monitor and to control [this type of emergency. [- "We also had the Community -Awareness and Emergency [Reponse system. That system [was puttogether with the cooper ation of the surrounding [communities and local industry. [The local emergency response Officials and Vista officials feel -the system worked very well* .Friend noted. [ "Our Westlake operations have had 28 years* experience in handling this hazardous chemi cal without a soriom incident" the plant manager added. *V-'e want to continue that record, forever." Friend extended has thanks to the public officials of Westlake, Moesville and Calcaaau Parish for their help and ooofsration in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion. In addition, he paid thanks to members of the media who helped keep area residents informed during the emergency. LEPC for emergency; By Craig Mergiat ,, News correspondent ' Local .Emergency Planning Commission chairman; Samuel Russell described the way [Viste Chemical handled a.' potentially dangerous situation Itfslweeka*; a textbook example ofhow tofdeal with an emergency. t^EPC held.a debriefing-lAst niday afternoon concerningthA intrusion of water into a tank containing ethylene oxide at the [riant in Westlake, `John Sp;can react very rapidly Wiflh5#ater in the presence, catatyst. The reaction -fria^ produce heat which could lead to an axplosion in a closed container. Water entered the storage unit from p leaJdng internal cdflllffjf coil. Impurities in thewafer could have acted as a catalyst, aocoriK ing to IViend. < !1 Friend said the Community Awareness and Emergeqcjr Respohife , system "worksltnd works well, I want to thank'the! public officials ofWestlake,M^oes-/ ville and Calcasieu Parish 'for- Page 2. A ^PA 000007767 Southwest Daily News April 29. 1990 LEPC TpfaisSS Vista for emergency plan By Craig Merglst Dally News staff Local Emergency Planning Commission chairman Samuel Russell described the way Vista Chemical handled a potentially dangerous situation Wednesday night and Thursday as a textbook example of how to deal with an emergency. LEPC held a debriefing Friday afternoon concerning the intru- sion ofwater into a tank contain ing ethylene oxide at the Vista plant in Westlake. Plant manager John Friend said EO can react very rapidly with water in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction may produce heat which could lead to an explosion in a closed container. Water entered the storage unit from a leaking internal cooling coil. Impurities in thewateroouidl ~ have acted as a catalyst,-aooord* . ing to Friend. Friend said the Community Awareness and Emergency Response system `works .and.l works well. 1 want to thank the; public officials ofWestlake,Mos~ ville and Calcasieu Parish for' their help and cooperation.* Plant operators first noticed m problem in the manufacturing process at 1 p.m. Tuesday/After* discovering water in the tank,, team members notified area cffl*!: cials through the CAER systehd late Wednesday afternoon. Operators began removing th| 11,600 gallons of EO in the .tank, through normal processiag knd four schools in the Westlake were closed Thursday ascitis'- processing continued. Ol-fvVista announced the `all deaf**.,] about 5 p.m. Thursday through the CAER system. '' `Ifthe temperature 1 sustained increase. have notified officials to consider evacuation,* Friend `However, the tanks oond^tapsi remained stable throughout this incident.* ; 3. Friend said 6 pounds ofthe-JBQ^ were released at one point, posed no threat to employee*.]??.- nearby residents. %"- Vista uses EO, a liquid/^to/ make alcohol ethoxylate products used in making detergent* ah4?\ personal care products. A 000007788 S outhw est D a ily News A p r il 29. 1990 m a mmmm o IB Q 00o?7e9