VitalAccurateThinking

Houston Chronicle Chemical Company Template

It is almost comical to watch the Houston Chronicle's coverage of the local chemical industry's problems. The most recent is this story about a Valero refinery sulfur dioxide release. It is like they have a template for reporting these stories:
1) Tell how many people were hurt. If the injuries are major or there is a fatality, describe in detail. If the injuries are minor, focus on the huge number that are always taken to the hospital as precautionary. Do not mention that most are looked at and told to go home. If there is a school nearby, highlight the risk posed to innocent children.

Twenty-eight people were taken to the hospital this morning after a release of sulfur dioxide gas at the Valero refinery in East Houston.

Authorities also told two schools in the Houston Independent School District - ALTA Academy and J.R. Harris Elementary School - to shelter in place.

The district also has put Davila Elementary, which neighbors J.R. Harris, under the same precautions, according to the HISD press office.

2) Get a quote or statement from the emergency responder.

Houston Fire Department officials said 28 people complaining of respiratory problems were taken to hospitals.

3) Get a quote from a company spokesperson.

Mary Rose Brown, Valero's senior vice president for corporate communications, said there was no sulfuric acid spill, as had been reported earlier, but there was a release of sulfur dioxide gas from a sulfuric acid tank.

4) Pull up a Material Safety Data Sheet and list the hazards of the chemical involved. Make no attempt to describe what the chemical is used for in the particular plant.

Sulfur dioxide gas is a main combustion product of sulfur compounds. Sulfur dioxide has many uses including to make sulfuric acid.

Sulfur dioxide is severely irritating to the eyes, mucous membranes, skin and respiratory tract. Bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis and acute airway obstruction can occur.

5) Pull up any and all past OSHA or regulatory violations that occurred at the plant, no matter how applicable or how long ago the violation was.

Valero Energy Corp., has six refineries in Texas. The company agreed to a pay a $5.5 million penalty and spend $700 million on pollution controls in six states as part of a recent settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency and five states, including Texas.

As part of the settlement, Valero agreed to cut emissions of smog-forming pollutants, including 3,600 tons of nitrogen oxides and 6,000 tons of sulfur dioxide in Texas.

6) Never followup on any of the people taken to the hospital. Unless they died, there is no reason to go back and look at the extent of their injuries.

It really is pathetic. The news is so dumbed down to a template just like this. I ask, how much trouble would it be to give a little more information like:

-The chemical formula for sulfuric acid is H2SO4 and sulfur dioxide S03.
-Were you aware that Sulfuric Acid is an important component to gasoline production?
-Were you aware that Sulfuric Acid is the largest inorganic chemical produced in US and that the biggest application is fertilizer. Almost 47,000 MT (103.6 million lbs) is produced annually.

I mean, how difficult is that?

posted by Jim VAT @ 11:01 AM