Why This Blog Was Created

This blog has been created solely for the purpose of compiling and centralizing information and to build awareness about the dangers of living in a community near the world's largest "atomized" iron powder producer which has been reported to have serious combustible dust issues as evidenced by three separate deadly fire/explosion incidents at the plant in the first 5 months of this year in which the CSB reported combustible dust as a factor. Equally concerning is that the most recent explosion at the Hoeganaes Corporation in Gallatin, TN involved "inadequate maintenance of hydrogen gas piping," as also reported by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board Investigation Team.

I urge you to educate yourself on these issues by visiting the videos section where you will find coverage of some freightening combustible dust and chemical explosion disasters at other plants in the U.S. Even more concerning is that the CSB stated; "... metal dust flash fires present a greater burn injury threat than flammable gas or vapor flash fires. Metal dust fires have the potential to radiate more heat and some metals burn at extremely high temperatures in comparison to other combustible materials." Add some hydrogen gas into the mix and you have the recipe for a disaster of catastrophic proportions.

Take a look at the video below of an explosion at Pepcon Chemical, a rocket fuel ingredient manufactuer in Henderson, NV on May 4, 1988. The fire started from a welding accident inside the plant. The explosion registered 3.5 on the richter scale 600 miles away. Keep in mind as you watch this that, as I stated above, the CSB said; "metal dust flash fires radiate more heat than flammable gas." What would happen if tons of atomized iron powder exploded at Hoeganaes due to the combustible dust and hydrogen gas piping issues? Would our community look like the H bomb had been dropped on it?

Note: The video begins by saying: "...industrial factory explosions are not that common..." However, in 2006, a pattern of industrial mishaps in the U.S. prompted the CSB to launch a comprehensive study of combustible dust explosions which uncovered 281 fires and exlosions that had occurred over the previous 25 years. The study revealed what the "CSB called a significant industrial problem.

Destroyed in Seconds...

While you are here, you definitely should read the CSB's investigation report on Hoeganaes located under the "CSB Investigation" tab. In the report, the CSB stated; "...three of the four deadliest accidents we have investigated were determined to be combustible dust explosions."

The main message here is that these types of disasters are preventable! The question is, will the right people make the right decisions to stop something like this from happening here in Gallatin, TN?