Investigation Report: Explosion and Fire: (3 Injured, Potential Offsite Consequences)

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Overview

This investigation report examines an explosion and fire that occurred on October 13, 2002, at the First Chemical Corporation facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The decomposition of mononitrotoluene inside a distillation column resulted in a runaway reaction and explosion, with potentially catastrophic offsite conse- quences. This report identifies the root and contributing causes of the incident and makes recommendations on evaluating reactive hazards, applying lessons learned, layers of protection, work prac- tices, facility siting, and community notification. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is an independent Federal agency whose mission is to ensure the safety of workers, the public, and the environment by investigating and preventing chemical incidents. CSB is a scientific investigative organi- zation; it is not an enforcement or regulatory body. Established by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, CSB is responsible for determining the root and contributing causes of accidents, issuing safety recommendations, studying chemical safety issues, and evaluating the effectiveness of other government agencies involved in chemical safety. No part of the conclusions, findings, or recommendations of CSB relating to any chemical incident may be admitted as evidence or used in any action or suit for damages arising out of any matter men- tioned in an investigation report (see 42 U.S.C. 7412 [r][6][G]). CSB makes public its actions and decisions through investigation reports, summary reports, safety bulletins, case studies, incident digests, special technical publications, and statistical reviews. More information about CSB may be found at www.csb.gov.