Green Jersey

Report: N.J. needs more chemical regulations

The New Jersey Work Environment Council says nearly 100 industrial facilities in the state still pose catastrophic risks to the public in the event of an accidental or deliberate spill.

While it praised Gov. Corzine for improving safety, the council says more regulations are needed.

In a report released Tuesday called “Still at Risk,” the group gives as a worst-case scenario a chlorine release from Kuehne Chemical, a Kearny plant it says could harm up to 12 million people in New Jersey and New York if… you know. It says five N.J. facilities, including chemical manufacturers and an oil refinery, have the potential to affect more than two million people in the event of a worst-case toxic release.

The council wants the Corzine administration to: Adopt safer technology, hold an annual public meeting to address people’s concerns, educate people about plants in their area and make sure they know what to do in the event of an emergency, and determine whether disinvestment and downizing by the chemical industry could increase dangers to workers and communities.