EPA’s asbestos risk evaluation faces litigation; fatal Georgia poultry plant investigation could take years

EPA’s asbestos risk evaluation faces litigation

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization continued its challenge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, filing a petition for review  in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and an intent to sue notice under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

The petition for review is aimed at the EPA’s Final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos from earlier this month that was roundly criticized for underestimating the dangers of this toxic mineral, despite a presentation of unreasonable risk to human health.

The 60-day intent to sue notice is aimed at pushing the EPA to perform its nondiscretionary duty of addressing the use and disposal of legacy asbestos in that risk evaluation.

Investigation into fatal gas leak at Georgia poultry plant could take years

A fatal nitrogen gas leak at a poultry processing plant in Georgia occurred as unplanned maintenance was being done on a recently installed processing and freezing line, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board has reported.

The leak at the Gainesville, Ga., Foundation Food Group plant killed six people, sent 12 others to the hospital, and forced the plant’s 130 other workers to evacuate. A release of liquid nitrogen gas pushes out oxygen from the air and makes it unbreathable.

The New York Times, citing a Foundation Food Group spokesperson, reported the accident was the result of a ruptured line carrying liquid nitrogen, which is used to freeze chicken. 

Katherine A. Lemos, the CEO and chairwoman of the Chemical Safety Board said during a media briefing of the accident Saturday, “Depending on the complexity of the investigation, it may take up to several years.”