A coalition of environmental groups is calling on Bayer to remove stockpiles of two chemicals at its Institute plant in the wake of a deadly explosion.



In a letter this week, the groups say Bayer should remove stocks of methyl isocyanate and phosgene from the CropScience plant, where an August 28th explosion killed one worker and injured another.

Neither chemical was involved in that blast, though. The company says the safety systems in place for both chemicals worked exactly as planned.

The groups signing the letter include the environmental caucus of the West Virginia Young Democrats and the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. They say that the risk of exposure to the chemicals is too great.

The groups also criticized Bayer for being slow to tell emergency crews that the explosion didn't involve any highly toxic chemicals.

Bayer CropScience site leader Nick Crosby says Bayer will improve the way it works with emergency officials.

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