Differences in Risks of Commodity Chemical Versus Specialty Chemical Production Facilities

Abstract

This study examines potential differences in the risks posed by production of specialty chemicals compared with those posed by production of commodity chemicals. The motivating factor for this research is the structural shift of the U.S. chemical industry away from production of commodity chemicals and towards production of lower volume, higher margin specialty chemicals. Three hypothesis are examined: (1) specialty chemicals tend to be produced in areas of higher population density than locations where commodity chemicals are produced; (2) less is known about the toxic properties of specialty chemicals, as compared to commodity chemicals, but, where existing data indicate that specialty chemicals are relatively more toxic than commodities; and (3) chemical properties, plant configuration and process specific factors at specialty chemical production facilities may present a potential for a higher incidence of accidental releases as well as a relatively higher level of systematic releases than at commodity chemical facilities. The implications of the results on future regulatory policy are considered, especially for community emergency planning under SARA Title III.