Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Investigations into an explosion at the Tesoro Corporations refinery in Anacortes Washington have been slowed due to the need to clean up asbestos. The plant was built in the 1950’s, when it was standard procedure in construction to use asbestos containing materials. Exposure to asbestos can cause a fatal cancer known as mesothelioma, therefore clean up measures must be taken before full inspections at the site can be made.

 

Even with protective suits and respirators, there is concern of the structural safety that makes close inspection impossible for now. Interviews are being conducted and documents being reviewed to try to determine if the explosion was caused by negligence.  The refinery was already under scrutiny and had been handed citations for lack of following state safety regulations.  They had just begun a safety inspection; however it remains unclear if the prior concerns were related to the cause of this explosion.

 

The explosion occurred inside a heat exchanger, causing debris, which contained asbestos, to scatter. Asbestos, when intact and in good condition, does not necessarily pose a health hazard. However, when disturbed, it often becomes airborne. It can then be inhaled, lodge in the lining of the heart, lungs or abdomen, and decades later cause mesothelioma.

 

The explosion killed five workers, and critically injured two others, making this the most fatal refinery accident in the United States in the last five years. Hopefully further injuries due to contact with asbestos contaminated debris can be avoided by making sure no one is exposed in the clean up and investigations.