Abstract
The explosion and fire at an Angus Chemical nitroparaffin plant in Sterlington, La., on the afternoon of May 1 have resulted in eight deaths, some 120 injuries, extensive damage to buildings in the area, and evacuation of an entire small town (C&EN, May 6, page 21). The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but an apparent problem in the nitroparaffin unit is believed to have occurred just before the explosion. IMC Fertilizer (IMCF) operated the unit at the northeast Louisiana site under contract to owner Angus Chemical. Angus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alberta Natural Gas Co., purchased the nitroparaffin business from the old International Minerals & Chemicals in 1982. Obviously, we don't know for sure yet, but it might have been one of the lines blowing out, says Lt. Kenny Williams, the state police officer in charge of emergency response efforts. Early reports suggested problems with a compressor. To the north lies Louisiana ...
Published Version
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