Across New Jersey there are eight chemical facilities that if disrupted could release toxic gases harming more than one million residents. Nationwide, 123 facilities of this magnitude exist, reported the Environmental Protection Agency. While these numbers represent worst-case scenarios, such findings are far too disturbing for anyone to simply ignore and not take action.
Report after report has indicated the vulnerability of chemical facilities as well as the possibility of terrorists using chemical sites against communities at-large. And why are such toxic plants considered potential terrorist targets? Chemical facilities are not mandated to assess their vulnerabilities nor does any government entity have the power to set basic security guidelines and procedures.