Question

According to Sparrow's Syria: Death from Assad’s Chlorine there is good chlorine, bad chlorine and deadly chlorine. How would the same characterizations made in Syria be applied to chlorine use and homeland security in the U.S.?

Answer 1

As Sparrow states, chlorine, which is widely used for water purification, sanitation, and the manufacture of modern medicines, is essential for human well-being in today’s world . In the US, chlorine has been mandated to decontaminate drinking water since 1914 . Homeland Security has provided information to police and security agencies pressing for heightened security on chlorine stocks . California has had several theft attempts at water treatment facilities. We have realized that there is a potential threat in the US. According to Sue Scott at Homeland Security Today, there are Thirteen million tons of chlorine are reportedly produced and used in the United States annually and there are tens of thousands of water treatment facilities in the United States and there are millions of tons of chlorine used to purify drinking water . Not only do we need to protect the supply at facilities but also while it is in route on the road and rails. On December 18, 2014, the President signed into law the Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2014. The program uses a dynamic multi-tiered risk assessment process and requires facilities identified as high-risk to meet and maintain performance-based security standards appropriate to the facilities and the risks they pose. DHSchemical security inspectors work in all 50 states to help ensure facilities have security measures in placeto meet CFATS requirements.