Hypocrisy In The Headlines

July 16, 2000

In an article in the “U.S. News and World Report,” July 17, 2000, pages 18-20, the large type headline is, BLASTS, BUT NOT FROM THE PAST. In slightly smaller type, the sub-title was, THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO MAKE CHEMICAL PLANTS SAFER, RISKING LIVES.

Being curious about what this rather conservative, business-oriented weekly publication was blaming “the Government” for, I read the article. The report dealt with accidents inf chemical plants. Quoting the article:

“Since 1998, an average of five plant workers have been killed every month in the United States by explosions or leaks of chemicals that have become integral to modem life, according to tracking by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.... A recent analysis of the data by Wharton School researchers shows that from 1994 through 1999, these accidents injured nearly 2,000 people – mostly workers – and forced more than 200,000 nearby residents to evacuate their homes, schools or offices – or wait apprehensively – until the situations were under control. Property damage from 1,913 chemical accidents the industry reported over those five years: $1 billion.”

A chart was displayed, “Chemical accidents: A new EPA database of 14,500 plants shows these reporting the most accidents between 1994 and 1999. But many plants have yet to submit data.” Of the plants listed, Dow Chemical Co. Freeport, Texas, led the way with 21 accidents.

The chemical plants where these accidents occurred were NOT owned or operated by the Government. The plants were corporate enterprises. Should not these corporations be labeled as failing to make chemical plants safer, risking lives?

Marianne Lavelle, the writer for U.S. News blamed a government agency, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, for these accidents. Underfunded and with no authority to punish, only probe, the agency has been ineffective. If you are at all informed you must be aware that business interests constantly pressure Congress and State legislative bodies to reduce regulations and block new ones. The article reports “Nearly 70% (or 34,000) of the 49,000 companies required to submit detailed five-year accident reports to the Environmental Agency last year never bothered; the agency is now trying to determine whether they broke the law or masterfully navigated their way around it.”

Do not these chemical corporations have the primary, ethical, and humane responsibility to reduce hazards and increase safety measures for the workers and the public? Cannot they understand that such neglect in the relentless drive for ever-increasing profits injures workers and the public?

Do they not understand that sooner or later this neglect and opposition to regulations will result in much more government control when the citizenry becomes alarmed, informed, aware and ready to act?

Consider the award of billions of dollars this week, penalizing the tobacco companies for their failure of responsibility and willingness to deceive.

“Sow the wind; reap the whirlwind.”

Read the fine print and text beneath inaccurate headlines. The full story may be much different.