13/09/2005 - Tuesday, as
residents, tourists and workers were enjoying
a typical morning in Washington D.C., dozens
of people collapsed in front of the U.S. Capitol.
These Greenpeace activists simulated the disastrous
fate that innocent people would suffer in
the result of a real chemical accident or
attack. The enactment also included a 40 by
12-foot replica of a ninety-ton rail car in
view of the Capitol, releasing simulated steam
and a recorded hissing sound. All of the people
representing victims wore T-shirts reading
“Reroute and Phase-Out
Chemicals of Mass Destruction.” These fallen
bodies represent the fatalities that would
occur if one railcar of chlorine or similar
chemical experienced an accident or attack.
Scientists estimate as many deaths as 100
people PER SECOND, were this to occur. Every
day, tons of hazardous materials are speeding
toward our nation’s metropolitan areas, including
Washington, D.C. Not to mention the chemical
facilities that are scattered throughout the
United States. These structures are prime
terrorist targets and the Environmental Protection
Agency estimates that 26 states are home to
a plant that puts more than one million people
at risk.
A Matter of Time
Sadly, we’ve had multiple, concrete reminders
of the possibility of attacks and accidents
since September 11, 2001. Both London and
Madrid were targeted by terrorists and victims
of Hurricane Katrina can attest to the hardships
in the wake of a toxic tragedy. Following
the massive storm surge, the chemical plants
in the affected area flooded, releasing untold
amounts of toxic poisons into the region’s
waterways. Floodwaters of up to 20 feet in
some areas exposed local homes to toxins such
as chlorine, vinyl chloride, gasoline and
used motor oil.
Countless experts have warned that a major
chemical disaster is possible on U.S. soil.
Richard Falkenrath - former deputy homeland
security adviser to President Bush – disclosed,
“Of all the various remaining civilian vulnerabilities
in America today, one stands alone as uniquely
deadly, pervasive and susceptible to terrorist
attack: toxic-inhalation-hazard industrial
chemicals.”
Four years after September 11, we are still
waiting for the federal government to act
to protect its citizens from a preventable
disaster. The Bush administration is needlessly
risking American lives for the benefit of
the chemical industry. If Bush is seeking
out weapons of mass destruction, he need only
look in his own backyard.
Re-route, Phase-Out Chemicals of Mass Destruction
The Bush administration has failed to make
our citizens safer. It’s up to Congress to
reroute these freight trains away from densely
populated areas. Several cities, including
the District of Columbia, Baltimore, Cleveland,
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are already debating
such legislation. Other bills are being considered
to address increased security.
More importantly, these hazardous chemicals
must be replaced with safer alternatives.
Re-routing and added security is an important
temporary safeguard, but the only real solution
to this looming catastrophe is a full phase-out
of toxic chemicals.
Take Action!
Ask your senators to support common sense
measures to protect our families, our community
and our health from chemical accidents or
attacks. Visit our Action Center.
Find out if YOU live in a vulnerability zone
near a chemical plant. Visit the EPA’s Web
site.
