Chemical Safety Board begins 2 new investigations

After clearing a large backlog of investigation reports, the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced April 4 that it will begin two new inquiries into toxic releases at Louisiana chemical plants last year. The incidents led to the release of hydrogen fluoride and chlorine at Honeywell's site at Geismar in January 2023 and the release of ethylene oxide at Dow's Plaquemine facility in July 2023. According to the CSB, a rupture in a heat exchanger at Honeywell led to an explosion and the release of approximately 470 kg of hydrogen fluoride and 770 kg of chlorine. Local officials closed nearby highways, and facility workers sheltered in place. No injuries were reported. Property damage at the facility is estimated at 4 million. The incident at Dow occurred in a glycol manufacturing unit after an explosion in a pipe that's part of a pressure relief system for ethylene