Union, Greens push anti-hydrofluoric acid campaign

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The United Steelworkers union and the Sierra Club along with other environmental groups pushed on Thursday their campaign to ban the use of hydrofluoric acid at U.S. refineries.

The campaign kicked off in Corpus Christi, Texas, where one USW member was severely injured in a July alkylation unit fire, said Jim Lefton, subdirector of USW district 13.

"This chemical can do great damage to citizens in the communities around refineries," Lefton said during a conference call. "They need to demand they remove hydrofluoric acid from the refineries in this country."

Hydrofluoric acid is used in alkylation units at about one-third of the 150 refineries in the United States. Alkylation units make high-octane blending components for gasoline.

Hydrofluoric acid can burn skin and eyes as well as damage internal organs. When accidentally released at the high temperatures like those in refinery units, hydrofluoric acid can form a mist capable of spreading for miles away from a refinery.

"Hydrofluoric acid is a dangerous killer that can clump together and move far downwind," said Fred Millar, a consultant on chemical accident prevention.

The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association has argued against changes in chemicals used by refiners, as the USW and Sierra Club advocate, claiming it would increase costs and possibly cause more harm in the event of accidental release.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is investigating the July accident at the Citgo Petroleum Corp refinery in Corpus Christi as well as a hydrofluoric acid release at an Exxon Mobil Corp refinery in Illinois.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Gary Hill)