July 20, 2009 For immediate release

Contact: Randy Caruso, Spatial Analyst, LA Bucket Brigade, (504) 484 – 3433

Cell: (504) 994-7784

Still More Reports Show Further Problems at Dow’s Troubled Taft Plant

Newly Found Reports from June Detail another Tank Leak

(New Orleans) Two more reports regarding Dow Chemical’s ethyl acrylate release have been discovered, one in the files of the Department of Environmental Quality, the other in the files of the National Response Center. These reports detail yet another accident at Dow Chemical, this one on June 15^th, bringing the total of ethyl acrylate releases since October of 2008 to four - four releases in a ten month span. “This is further proof of a pattern of Dow’s mismanagement when it comes to handling ethyl acrylate,” said Randy Caruso, Spatial Analyst for the Louisiana Bucket Brigade

After talking with neighbors on Friday and getting new information about their complaints in June, Mr. Caruso conducted further records searches, one in the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Emergency Data Management System, the other in the database of the National Response Center. Both searches returned information about yet another and previously unknown ethyl acrylate problem, this one on June 15^th, less than a month before the July 7^th release that seemingly led to the implosion of the tank.

The report to the DEQ, filed on June 19^th, notes a problem with a tank – specifically a tank leak - but does not say which tank, nor does the report specify that the chemical in question is ethyl acrylate. The report on file with the National Response Center, however, does specify that the chemical released was ethyl acrylate. “These reports provide further information that Dow has had an ongoing problem with ethyl acrylate and apparently with this tank, and that the Department of Environmental Quality has known about it” continued Mr. Caruso. “Both Dow and DEQ have failed to take the appropriate steps to get to the root of the problem and protect the public.” The National Response Center is the federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical spills.

Dow reported this additional accident at 1:19 on the morning of June 15^th, and notes that the cause of the accident was attributed to “equipment failure.” According to the written report from Dow to DEQ, the tank was “in the process of being emptied and cleaned. Once, it is chemical-free, it will be inspected to assess the integrity of the tank.” It is suspected that this is the same tank that imploded several weeks later.

“If confirmed, this would prove that DEQ knew that Dow had an accident involving ethyl acrylate that they fear jeopardized the structural integrity of a tank involving a toxic chemical, yet did little to ensure Dow adequately fixed the problem,” said Mr. Caruso.

Though news reports have focused on the St. Charles Parish emergency response, this report puts the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s lack of oversight squarely in the spotlight “The Department of Environmental Quality clearly does not have the capacity to investigate problems and protect citizens,” continued Mr. Caruso. “The DEQ is a permitting agency for industry, and that is all.” The organization will use this most recent evidence of the DEQ’s lapse to request more oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Media Availability at Louisiana Bucket Brigade Office today, July 20^th

10 am – Noon

4226 Canal Street, two blocks from Carrolton Avenue toward the cemeteries

Copies of the reports filed by Dow will be available

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The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, founded in 2000, is an environmental health and justice organization supporting communities’ use of grassroots action to achieve sustainable neighborhoods free from industrial pollution.