The chemical that could have killed millions in the Philly refinery fire
Hydroflouric acid is a toxic chemical used in local refineries. Why a release during the recent South Philly refinery explosion would have been disastrous.
Listen 15:27![2019 06 21-e lee-philadelphia energy solutions refinery-explosion and fire A fire burns at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery hours after a series of early morning explosions on June 21, 2019. (Emma Lee/WHYY)](https://whyy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-06-21-e-lee-philadelphia-energy-solutions-refinery-explosion-and-fire-768x512.jpg)
A fire burns at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery hours after a series of early morning explosions on June 21, 2019. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
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Hydrofluoric acid is a toxic chemical used in local refineries, including Philadelphia Energy Solutions where part of the refinery exploded last month. StateImpact Pennsylvania reporter Susan Phillips explains why a release of HF would have been disastrous. Could public backlash push the refining industry to stop using it?
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