PQ Corporation Kansas City Site (Zeolyst) - Executive Summary

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PQ Corporation is committed to preventing accidents and safeguarding the community.  We have prepared this information to advise you of the potential chemical accidents that could affect our surrounding community, efforts to prevent and minimize accidents, and the steps you should take in a chemical emergency. 
 
PQ Corporation is a privately owned company founded in 1831.  Our corporate headquarters are located in Valley Forge, PA.  PQ is the world's leader in the production of sodium silicates.  Sodium silicates are manufactured by fusing sand and soda ash in a furnace. The PQ Kansas City facility is located in the Armourdale neighborhood of Kansas City, KS at the northeast corner of the 18th Street Expressway (Hwy 69) and Kansas Avenue.  We currently employ 120 people and own 19 acres of land at this location.  The facility was originally established in 1915 as a manufacturer of sodium silicate.  Since then, we have grown to include four more manufacturing units producing sodium silic 
ate based products.      
 
Our products are used by other manufacturers in their operations and include the following:  
7 Sodium Silicate - Used by the textile, mining, and papermaking industries.   
7 Zeolite - Used as an ingredient which replaces phosphates in powder laundry detergents. 
7 Silica Gel Catalysts - Used in the manufacture of plastics such as milk jugs and grocery bags. 
7 Molecular Sieves - Used as a moisture absorbent in insulated windows. 
7 Zeolite Catalysts - Used by the petroleum refining industry for the production of cleaner burning gasoline and in automotive catalytic converters. 
 
We Prevent Accidents By 
DESIGNING for Safety 
7 Redundant safety systems and instrumentation 
7 Automatic and manual shut-off valves 
7 Safety reviews performed prior to start-up 
7 Air and water monitoring systems 
MAINTAINING our Plant 
7 Regular equipment checks 
7 Preventative maintenance program 
7 Regular inspections of critical safety equipment 
7 Highly skilled and trained employees 
OPE 
RATING Safely 
7 Operators are trained in Process Safety 
7 Standard written operating procedures 
AUDITING our Operations 
7 ISO 9002 certified 
7 Internal audits and reviews 
7 Internal self-audits of procedures and operations 
TRAINING and Preparation 
7 Site Emergency Response Plan 
7 Regular drills with outside agencies 
 
We use piperidine to manufacture zeolite catalysts. 
Chemical Information - piperidine 
7 flammable colorless liquid with a peppery smell 
7 odor detectable at low concentrations in air 
7 readily evaporates under normal conditions 
7 vapors are irritating to the respiratory tract 
7 corrosive, toxic, and irritating to skin and eyes 
 
We use ethylenediamine to manufacture zeolite catalysts. 
Chemical Information - ethylenediamine 
7 combustible colorless liquid with ammonia-like smell 
7 vapors are irritating to the respiratory tract 
7 does not readily evaporate under normal conditions 
7 irritating to skin and eyes  
 
What should you do in an emergency? 
Accidents are unlikely, b 
ut they can happen and it is important that you know what to do.  Chemical emergencies often occur quickly.  For the first few minutes you may be on your own and you will need to rely on your senses and best judgement.  If you are notified of a release or smell a strong chemical odor, go indoors and close all windows, doors, and vents to the outside.  This "Shelter in Place" technique is further described in information available from Wyandotte County. For further instructions during an emergency situation: 
7 Listen to your local radio or TV station 
7 Await instructions from authorities
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