Washington DC, August 29, 2008 - A five-member investigation team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of a fatal explosion and fire at the Bayer CropScience plant located in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

According to media reports, one person was killed and another was injured in the blast, which could be felt several miles away.

The investigative team will be accompanied by CSB Chairman and CEO John Bresland, who will serve as the principal spokesperson. The team is expected to arrive late-evening on Friday.

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.

For more information, contact Amy McCormick, 202.378.7224 (accompanying team), or Hillary Cohen 202.261-3601 (office) 202.446.8094 (cell) in Washington D.C.