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Fertilizer Plant Explosion Not Likely to Happen Locally

Local residents can rest assured...there will be no fertilizer plant explosions in our area. Plants run by Sylvite do not use anhydrous ammonia, the chemical that caused an earth-rattling explosion in West, Texas this week. Sylvite has fertilizer facilities in Norwich and Putnam. President, Hugh Loomans tells Heart FM what was going through his mind upon learning about the Texas explosion that killed 14, and leveled an entire town. "Shocking in terms of we have an anhydrous ammonia safety code within the industry. It outlines very, very specific guidelines for where anhydrous tanks should be placed and all those kinds of things and very specific and you know we don't like to see them in town at all." While the Canadian fertilizer industry is self-regulated, Loomans says they are very safety conscientious and have protocols in place.

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