The dangerous task of disposing of a toxic chemical at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery has had “very good results,” leaving about half of the original 30,000 gallons of hydrofluoric acid remaining, according to city officials. “I’m pleased to say we’ve had a very good week,” Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said. “We’re fortunate that […]
News Archive
Welcome to the Fluoride Action Network News Archive. The FAN News Archive serves as an historical repository for fluoride news stories, positive or negative. Since FAN catalogs all news stories on fluoride, our news section remains a reliable database of all published fluoride news.
Our news database is categorized by country, state/province, and industry. This collection of articles is constantly being updated with the most recent global news on fluoride-related issues and events.
Dangerous South Philly refinery chemical still poses threat to community
A fire burns at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery hours after a series of early morning explosions at the 150-year-old industrial complex at 3100 W. Passyunk Ave. (Emma Lee/WHYY) The dangerous task of disposing of a toxic chemical at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery could put workers and the surrounding community at risk, according to […]
Neutralization of hydrofluoric acid to begin Monday at PES refinery
Workers at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in South Philadelphia are planning to start neutralizing tens of thousands of barrels of a highly toxic chemical beginning Monday. The refinery is shutting down after an explosion and fire destroyed part of the plant. The company has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chemical, hydrofluoric acid, is one […]
Shut Philadelphia refinery begins risky job of removing toxic chemical
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) – Workers at the fire-damaged Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery took the first steps this week toward ridding the plant of roughly 30,000 barrels of modified hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous undertaking that has rarely, if ever, been performed under similar circumstances. In the minutes after the blaze and a series of explosions at the PES […]
Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery fire ‘may have’ released hydrofluoric acid, per report
(Reuters) – Philadelphia Energy Solutions was expected to report to government officials on Friday that the toxic chemical hydrofluoric acid may have been released from its refinery in June, when a series of blasts and fire damaged the plant, two sources familiar with the plan said. It was unclear how much of the chemical might […]
Pennsylvania lawmakers concerned by economic, environmental impact of refinery fire and shutdown
In this June 21, 2019 file photo, flames and smoke emerge from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke / AP file photo More than a month after a fire at the largest oil refinery on the East Coast, Pennsylvania lawmakers are continuing to examine regulatory and safety issues and the […]
U.S. senators seek EPA review of hydrogen fluoride after refinery fires
Senators want EPA-approved risk management plans reviewed after severe malfunctions at three U.S. refineries that use hydrogen fluoride. Liquid asphalt gushes from a ruptured tank at the Husky Energy Refinery as seen in this aerial photo from the morning of April 26, 2018. (2018 File / News Tribune) Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., joined by […]
Refineries Across America Could Create Catastrophic Acid Clouds. It Almost Happened In Philly.
Last month’s explosion at a 150-year-old oil refinery in Philadelphia could have forced 1.1 million people to evacuate. At 4 a.m. on June 21, South Philadelphia residents were awoken by the sound of a large explosion: The Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery was on fire for the second time in two weeks. Neighbors watched as […]
Refinery Explosions Raise New Warnings About Deadly Chemical
In the predawn hours of June 21, explosions at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in South Philadelphia shook houses, sent fireballs into the air and woke up nearby residents. “Three loud explosions, one after the other, boom, boom boom!” says David Masur, who lives about two miles from the plant and has two young kids. […]
Superior Council supports refinery rebuild
Councilors unanimously in support of rebuilding the Husky Energy refinery with added safety measures after Duluth Council votes to ask EPA to reconsider use of hydrogen fluoride. Superior’s City Council is lending its support to rebuilding the Husky Energy refinery in the safest manner possible. Councilors unanimous support to a resolution presented by Superior City […]