A Catastrophic Release
On April 8, 2022, BCP Ingredients (a chemical manufacturing and packaging company in Missouri) released approximately 1,290 pounds of Ethelene Oxide (EtO) into the atmosphere during a routine railcar unloading operation.
Systemic Failures Uncovered
The EPA’s investigation into this pollution revealed a whole litany of violations that paint a picture of a company prioritizing profit over safety:
- Inadequate Safety Procedures: BCP failed to develop crucial standard operating procedures for emergency situations, including shutdown protocols. This glaring oversight left workers ill-prepared to handle the April 2022 disaster effectively.
- Equipment Neglect: Perhaps most egregiously, the company had neglected to repair damaged audible alarms and wiring critical for detecting EtO leaks. These safety systems had been non-functional since a flood in May 2021, demonstrating a prolonged period of negligence.
- Insufficient Hazard Analysis: BCP failed to perform required process hazard analyses for its EtO Drum Truck Storage, a process involving large quantities of this dangerous substance. This oversight reveals a systemic failure to assess and mitigate potential risks.
- Non-Compliance with Audits: The company failed to correct deficiencies identified in previous compliance audits, neglected to certify multiple audits, and did not conduct audits at the required three-year intervals.
Ethelene Oxide is no good
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a highly reactive, flammable, and colorless gas with a sweet odor, primarily used in chemical manufacturing and as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment.
It poses significant dangers to human health and the environment due to its toxicity and reactivity…
Acute exposure to EtO can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Chronic exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly leukemia and lymphoma, as well as potential reproductive and neurological effects.
EtO is also highly flammable and explosive, with a wide range of flammable concentrations in air (3% to 100%), making it a significant safety hazard in workplace settings!
A Call for Systemic Change
This is a clear example of how the pursuit of profit can overshadow worker safety and community well-being.
We need stronger regulations and more frequent inspections to prevent such incidents.
The BCP Ingredients case is just the tip of the iceberg.
How many other facilities are operating with similar disregard for safety and environmental regulations?