Washington, DC, June 24, 2005 - A team from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is deploying to St. Louis, MO, where a series of powerful gas explosions occurred at the Praxair facility earlier this afternoon. CSB Investigation Manager Steve Selk, PE, will be leading the team, which will assess the nature and impact of the incident. CSB investigators are expected at the site Saturday morning.

The CSB on-site media contact is Ms. Jean Gonsoulin, (713) 202-0972 (cell). Other inquiries should be directed to Daniel Horowitz at (202) 441-6074 (cell).

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 safety management systems.

The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Further information about the CSB is available from www.csb.gov.