BURZICHELLI SEEKS INFO, INSIGHT ON CHLORINE TANKER THEFTS

Requests AG, State Police & Homeland Security Review Chlorine Truck Thefts Since 2001, Offer Security Recommendations Following Federal Warnings

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli today called for a status report on New Jersey chlorine truck security following federal warnings to U.S. chemical plants to step-up their defense against potential terrorist use of chlorine tanker trucks as chemical bombs.

"Reports from the federal government and Iraq indicate that terrorists have added a new weapon to their arsenal - chlorine truck bombs," said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), a member of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee. "We cannot allow chlorine tankers to be seized as cheap, effective weapons platforms for terrorists."

In a letter sent to New Jersey State Attorney General Stuart Rabner, Homeland Security Director Richard L. Cañas and State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, Burzichelli requested information on chlorine-related thefts that may have occurred in New Jersey since 2001 and assessments of whether New Jersey is at risk. Burzichelli says he wants the information and assessments to determine New Jersey's vulnerability and whether improved safeguards are needed.

In his letter, Burzichelli cites instances of at least five successful chlorine truck bomb attacks in Iraq since the start of the year and a report to the FBI by the Chlorine Institute - a national chemical trade group representing over 200 chlorine manufacturers and distributors - of several thefts and attempted thefts of chlorine trucks in California.

"We must intelligently and expediently assess any and all potential vulnerabilities of the chlorine truck fleet in this state," said Burzichelli. "From there, we need to do everything in our power to ensure that these trucks do not fall into the wrong hands, becoming highly mobile, highly destructive weapons."

Chlorine (Cl), a naturally occurring yellow-green gas that can be pressurized into a liquid or refined into a solid is distinguishable by its strong, irritating odor, and is one of the most commonly manufactured chemicals in the U.S. Heavier than air, chlorine gas is poisonous to most living things, as it forms hypochlorous and hydrochloric acids when it comes in contact with moist tissues like the eyes, throat, and lungs. Exposure to chlorine gas can include sore throat, coughing, burning of the eyes and skin, rapid breathing, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Prolonged exposure can cause severe eye and skin burns, lung collapse, and death.

"We already have some of the toughest chemical plant security laws in the country," said Burzichelli. "Now we need to focus our efforts on increasing the security of volatile chemicals during transport."

--A COPY OF THE LETTER IS ATTACHED--