GAO: Voluntary Initiatives Are Under Way at
Chemical Facilities but the Extent of Security Preparedness Is Unknown
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Download GAO Report: GAO-03-439, HOMELAND SECURITY Voluntary Initiatives Are Under Way at Chemical Facilities, but the Extent of
Security Preparedness Is Unknown, March 14, 2003 (531K PDF format).
Download GAO Request: GAO-03-24R, Homeland Security: Department of Justice’s Response to Its
Congressional Mandate to Assess and Report on Chemical Industry
Vulnerabilities, October 10, 2002 (244K PDF format).
Voluntary Initiatives Are Under Way at
Chemical Facilities but the Extent of
Security Preparedness Is Unknown
Highlights of GAO-03-439, a report to
Congressional Requesters, March 14, 2003.
Why GAO Did This Study
The events of September 11, 2001,
triggered a national re-examination
of the security of thousands of
industrial facilities that use or store
hazardous chemicals in quantities
that could potentially put large
numbers of Americans at risk of
serious injury or death in the event
of a terrorist-caused chemical
release. GAO was asked to
examine (1) available information
on the threats and risks from
terrorism faced by U.S. chemical
facilities; (2) federal requirements
for security preparedness and
safety at facilities; (3) actions taken
by federal agencies to assess the
vulnerability of the industry; and
(4) voluntary actions the chemical
industry has taken to address
security preparedness, and the
challenges it faces in protecting its
assets and operations.
What GAO Found
Chemical facilities may be attractive targets for terrorists intent on causing
economic harm and loss of life. Many facilities exist in populated areas
where a chemical release could threaten thousands. EPA reports that 123
chemical facilities located throughout the nation have toxic “worst-case”
scenarios where more than a million people in the surrounding area could be at risk of exposure to a cloud of toxic gas if a release occurred. To date, no one has comprehensively assessed the security of chemical facilities.
No federal laws explicitly require that chemical facilities assess
vulnerabilities or take security actions to safeguard their facilities from
attack. However, a number of federal laws impose safety requirements on
facilities that may help mitigate the effects of a terrorist-caused chemical
release. EPA believes that the Clean Air Act could be interpreted to provide
authority to require chemical facilities to assess their vulnerabilities and to
make security enhancements that protect against attacks. However, EPA
has not attempted to use these Clean Air Act provisions because of concerns
that this interpretation would pose significant litigation risk and has
concluded that chemical facility security would be more effectively
addressed by passage of specific legislation.
The federal government has not comprehensively assessed the chemical
industry’s vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks. EPA, the Department of
Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice have taken preliminary
steps to assist the industry in its preparedness efforts, but no agency
monitors or documents the extent to which chemical facilities have
implemented security measures. Consequently, federal, state, and local
entities lack comprehensive information on the vulnerabilities facing the
industry.
To its credit, the chemical industry, led by its industry associations, has
undertaken a number of voluntary initiatives to address security at facilities.
For example, the American Chemistry Council, whose members own or
operate 1,000, or about 7 percent, of the facilities subject to Clean Air Act
risk management plan provisions, requires its members to conduct
vulnerability assessments and implement security improvements. The
industry faces a number of challenges in preparing facilities against attacks,
including ensuring that all chemical facilities address security concerns.
Despite the industry’s voluntary efforts, the extent of security preparedness
at U.S. chemical facilities is unknown. Finally, both the Secretary of
Homeland Security and the Administrator of EPA have stated that voluntary
efforts alone are not sufficient to assure the public of industry’s
preparedness.
What GAO Recommends
This report recommends that the
Secretary of Homeland Security
and the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) jointly develop a
comprehensive national chemical
security strategy that is both
practical and cost effective, which
includes assessing vulnerabilities
and enhancing security
preparedness.
The Departments of Homeland
Security and Justice and EPA
generally agreed with the report’s
findings and conclusions and were
supportive of efforts to pursue
chemical security legislation.
Dowload the Report
Download GAO Report: GAO-03-439, HOMELAND SECURITY Voluntary Initiatives Are Under Way at Chemical Facilities, but the Extent of
Security Preparedness Is Unknown, March 14, 2003 (531K PDF format).
Download GAO Request: GAO-03-24R, Homeland Security: Department of Justice’s Response to Its
Congressional Mandate to Assess and Report on Chemical Industry
Vulnerabilities, October 10, 2002 (244K PDF format).
For more information, contact John B.
Stephenson at (202) 512-3841 or
stephensonj@gao.gov.
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