Clorox Co. said today that it would begin phasing out use of chlorine in the production of bleach (see GSN, Dec. 13, 2007).
Chlorine is a known chemical weapons agent that was used during World War I and more recently by insurgents in Iraq (see GSN, July 2, 2007). Observers have expressed concern that would-be terrorists might target U.S. industrial plants that employ the material.
Beginning with a facility in California, Clorox over the next several years will convert seven plants to use high-strength bleach rather than chlorine in the manufacturing of household bleach.
"This decision was driven by our commitment to strengthen our operations and add another layer of security," Clorox Chairman and CEO Don Knauss said in a press release (Clorox Co. release/Marketwire, Nov. 2).
The environmental organization Greenpeace lauded the decision.
"Once the conversion is completed at all seven U.S. Clorox plants, the company will have eliminated catastrophic risks from chlorine gas to 13.6 million Americans living downwind of its facilities," according to a Greenpeace press release. "This conversion will also eliminate equally disastrous risks posed by the transport of 90-ton rail cars of chlorine gas" (see GSN, March 25).
The Clorox move could strengthen the case for House legislation set for a vote Wednesday that would require "highest-risk" chemical plants to shift away from using chlorine when feasible, Greenpeace said (Greenpeace release, Nov. 2).