Four Taken To Hospital After Chemical Leak At Plant

Four people were taken to a hospital after a chemical leak at an Archer Daniels Midland plant in SW Cedar Rapids. Two were reported to be in serious condition, and two with minor injuries.

Officials are still not sure of exactly what happened at this point but are suspecting the chemical was sulfur dioxide.

The incident started in the refinery department and spread to the Fructose Building. Workers called 911 around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. About 75 workers were evacuated from the areas involved. Those workers were allowed back in just after 1:00 p.m.

Officials say the workers are most likely suffering from sulfur dioxide inhalation, but the problem could be hydrochloric acid. Sulfur dioxide is used to soften corn at the plant.

Around 80 trucks hauling corn to the plant were backed up for a mile on Willow Creek Drive SW, unable to deliver their loads because of the incident.

It is events like this that remind us of the importance of having business continuity plans in place. For more information and FREE report Refer to our earlier post Create a Business Continuity Plan for Your Business.

Syria Stepping Up Chemical Weapons Production

According to an article on Janes Defense Weekly, Syria may be stepping up its production of chemical weapons.

This report also comes at a time when U.S. envoy's are in the Country and region seeking Syria's help and cooperation in the disarming of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Though it has yet to make its way into the mainstream media, this will present a serious problem for the New U.S. administration, and posses yet another problem for Israel.

The real question will be how long will the United States, turn a blind eye to the serious developments?

Improvised Explosive Device Explodes Inside California Prision

An IED was found during a search this week at Victorville Federal Penitentiary during a "routine search of inmate property" said Traci Billingsley a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson. She also said that the device "detonated upon discovery."

Though it was stated that the incident was not terrorist related, and no one was injured in the blast, it is not 100% clear if it was intended to injure one of the guards.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the FBI bomb squads wree called to the scene to ensure that the device didn't pose any further danger.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said an investigation was under way.

Billingsley said the prison was locked down at the time the device was found. She could not say what prompted the lockdown, or if there was any connection to the search. No inmates were in the area when the explosion occurred.

"The prison remains secure," she said.

GovSec Conference Taking Place March 11-12

I have been asked to share Information on the following event, so here you go:

Government Security Expo & Conference; known as GovSec and U.S. Law. The Expo is being held on March 11-12, 2009 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Feel free to share this information with those in your circles!

Established a year after the September 11, 2001 attacks, GovSec features tools, systems, and products that meet the security needs of federal, state, and local governments and the U.S. military. These include asset protection, cyber and information protection, terrorism and information technology, detection systems, disaster preparedness & recovery, specialty & security services, IT systems & security, intrusion detection/perimeter security & surveillance and public safety & law enforcement. To learn more about GovSec briefings, please visit: http://www.govsecinfo.com/briefings.html.

To register for the Expo: http://www.govsecinfo.com *

* While the Expo is free for qualified attendees with pre-registration, there is a fee for the Conference.
** Conference fees apply.

Pakistan Admits Mumbai Attacks Planned On Their Soil

For the first time Pakistan admitted that the Mumbai terror attacks were planned inside their country.

Pakistan’s Interior Ministry Adviser Rehman Malik told a press conference that “some part of the conspiracy has taken place in Pakistan,” adding that eight people had been arrested – including a few named by India as masterminds.

But he also unveiled a slew of foreign links pointing to a network of “non-state actors” providing logistical support from around the globe. These include:

• Internet phone accounts arranged in Barcelona
• a digital teleconferencing system in Houston
• the use of Indian mobile phone connections
• a domain name registered in Russia
• a satellite phone registered in a Middle Eastern country
• further links to Austria and Italy.