The cleanup from Harvey continues and the fallout from Irma and Maria aren’t going away any time soon.   One thing is certain, though.  The global supply chain will be seriously disrupted, due to the issue of petrochemical storage, refineries, plants and other treatment facilities being overwhelmed.  While Florida has a smaller chemical production footprint that Texas does, the storage and refining capacity could create a serious issue.

Nuclear generators, plants that produce ammonia, phosphate mines – all these potential chemical disasters are in Florida.  Knowing what, exactly, is in these facilities is difficult to come by, since such information is kept secret to thwart terrorism efforts and regulatory efforts since the Obama era have been stepped down.  Danger also exists for releasing hazardous materials into the surrounding environment, much like the plant explosion at the chemical plant Arkema in Texas earlier.  Evacuations for chemical hazards may follow people who did not have to evacuate because of weather.

Some analyses in the Houston area show that the hundreds of refineries and petrochemical operations in the area have released almost a million pounds of pollutants from Hurricane Harvey’s weather.  While we cannot control the weather, it is a good reminder that safety is within our control all the time.  So how can the rest of us learn from this example and prepare for the future?

It all starts with the right equipment.  Having products that properly mix dangerous chemicals without fear of corrosion or other damage goes a long way to ensuring your workers and the surrounding communities won’t be exposed to danger.  Komax offers mixing and heating products lined with Kymar and Teflon to provide maximum protection against corrosive items.  As you reexamine the safety of your equipment in the plant, why not work with one of the nation’s most experienced innovators?  Try Komax products and discover the financial and performance difference.