There is a movement in the government of the United States to reduce regulation of business activity. A specific example of this is the resolution introduced in the House of Representatives meant to unwind some EPA regulations of the chemical industry instituted by executive order after a fertilizer explosion in West, Texas killed 15 people. It is felt that private enterprises will be more competitive in a global marketplace if they have fewer constraints.
On August 12, 2015 in the port city of Tianjin, China, a chemical storage facility caught fire and exploded. Over 165 people died. Many of them were contract fire fighters for the port. Survivors stated they had no idea what was in the plant. Besides the dead, over 800 people were injured.
Rui Hai International Logistics was located in an enterprise zone meant to promote trade through reduced regulation and taxation. The business opened without permits, which were later backdated and then allowed to lapse. The plant was within a kilometer of residential areas and stored hazardous materials in quantities and proximity exceeding laws and best practices.
At the time of the incident the plant contained 200 tons of nitrocellulose (an extremely unstable material reported to have caused the initial fire), 800 tons of ammonium nitrate, calcium carbide (which releases acetylene when it reacts with water), and 700 tons of sodium cyanide (which is both very toxic and highly reactive with water). Lacking information, the firefighters attacked the fire with water. Subsequently 123 government officials were condemned for laxity.
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