Chemical
Exposure in St. Louis Results in Brief ER
Quarantine
[Posted 09/02/2008]
Highly
toxic nitroaniline was accidently released at the
Ro-Corp plant in Missouri in late August. Eight
victims from this industrial accident were taken to
local emergency rooms. These ERs were then
quarantined to determine the level of danger and to
allow the FBI to investigate any link to terrorist
activity. No evidence of criminal or terrorist
activity was found.
Ro-Corp, Inc. is part of G.S. Robins and Company and
handles packaging and re-packaging of dry materials.
As of August 31, the victims’ conditions were listed
as good/satisfactory, while one victim remained
listed in serious condition. Earlier announcements
indicated two victims had died, but that information
was never confirmed by the Associated Press.
Nitroaniline is one of many industrial organic
chemicals used in manufacturing dyes, pigments,
antioxidants, gasoline, pharmaceuticals, among other
materials. OSHA lists para-nitroaniline as a toxic
and reactive highly hazardous chemical that presents
a potential for a catastrophic event.
Related Links:
AP News Article at MSNBC
OSHA: List of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (1910.119 App A)
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