Terrorism concerns hinder public’s access to toxic plant info
Associated Press reporter Jack Gillum discusses his investigation of ammonium nitrate facilities around the country and why authorities are hesitant to release location information.
After the fertilizer plant located near a school in West, Texas exploded last month, Associated Press reporter Jack Gillum got to thinking, where else in America is there ammonium nitrate stored in vulnerable areas?
Federal law says this information should be a matter of public record, but citing terrorism fears, authorities in many parts of the country wouldn’t tell him. Of the 28 states that did have data, the AP found 120 facilities near schoolchildren, the elderly and people with disabilities.
Gillum joins Marketplace Morning Report David Brancaccio to discuss his findings.