"12,000 U.S. Schools Are Within A Mile Of A Hazardous Chemical Facility"

"On April 17, 2013, an explosion and fire at the West Fertilizer Company plant in West, Texas, killed 15 people and injured hundreds. It also destroyed more than 150 buildings around the plant. Among these were the West Intermediate School for 4th and 5th graders, located about 550 feet (170 meters) away from the fertilizer plant, and West High School, about 1,150 feet (350 meters) away. In addition, the explosion and fire, fueled by fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate — known to explode when exposed to heat and pressure — caused substantial damage to the nearby West Elementary School and West Middle School.

Also located right across the road from the plant and its fertilizer tanks were a playground and a basketball court — about 360 and 250 feet (110 and 76 meters) respectively from the plant fence line. Fortunately, the incident occurred at 7:51 p.m., long after students and staff had left the buildings, and on a day without evening activities. In its investigation, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board determined that had the schools been occupied at the time of the explosion, fatal injuries would likely have been extensive."

Elizabeth Grossman reports for Ensia November 10, 2016.