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West Coast chemical emergencies raise questions about the safety of massive industrial tanks
Yet this past week, there were two major hazardous chemical emergencies on the West Coast. A substantial tank containing a corrosive chemical at a Longview, Washington, paper mill ruptured on Tuesday, killing two and possibly nine others. And late last week about 50,000 people were evacuated in Southern California after a chemical tank overheated and threatened the area with a catastrophic explosion. Authorities mitigated that risk, and people have been able to return home.
The incidents have raised questions about who is responsible to regulating companies that handle dangerous materials. An Associated Press review has found that officials at the regional, state and federal levels all play a part in keeping these facilities safe.
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