Stender Discusses Threat Posed by Local Chlorine Transportation

Assemblywoman Linda Stender, D-Fanwood, is in Linden this afternoon to voice her support for new state legislation that urges the owners and operators of water utility facilities, and chemical companies to use inherently safer technologies when transporting chlorine.

Joined by Senator Nicholas Scutari today, Stender says that she introduced legislation ACR-239 because she’s concerned about the threat posed to local communities, like Scotch Plains, if one of the rail cars or trucks carrying chlorine through town were to have an accident or be attacked.

“It’s a matter of public safety,” Stender told Patch. “We know that chlorine is transported through our state every day, and while there are many uses for it, chlorine is what is called a TIH—Toxi Inhalant Hazard. Because of the way it’s transferred locally by rail or by truck, it is a potential life hazard. If it were to be exposed either by accident or by attack, a single rail car of it could kill up to 100,000 people.”

Stender's legislation was first introduced on June 25, just days before a chlorine leak at a plant in Trenton sent one person to the hospital and injured two others on July 11. That plant is now planning to replace its chlorine system with a less hazardous alternative, which is just the type of action Stender is trying to get more companies to take.

Stender said she is proposing that the chlorine currently used by factories and plants be replaced with inherently safer technology. IST, as it’s more commonly known, involves producing a substitute for chlorine using safer alternatives, like water, inert salt and electricity.

“The idea is that we are better trying to substitute where we can, substitute highly hazardous substances with less hazardous ones, and minimize the level of hazard,” Stender said. “New Jersey’s chemical plants have been listed among the nation’s most dangerous, and I think companies are doing what they can, they’ve implemented their own plans, and people are very cognizant of the risk. But this is trying to make sure we're protected.”

Stender said she hopes the legislation can prevent future accidents like the one in Trenton from happening. While this is a statewide concern, she said it does pertain to several areas in Union County, like Rahway, Clark and Scotch Plains.

“In the 22nd district, a lot of freight that moves around carries chlorine,” Stender said. “We know we have sites that use chlorine in Union County, although there’s no production of it in Union County. As someone who’s been involved in environmental issues and concerns my entire public life, this issue came to my attention and I decided to introduce a resolution to build public knowledge and awareness of it. It’s always better to prevent a problem then try to clean up an accident after people have been injured.”