November 27, 2006

Volume 84, Number 48

p. 6

Safety

Dow Exits Racing

Angus unit says nitromethane handling practices are lacking

Alex Tullo

Citing safety concerns, Dow Chemical's Angus Chemical unit has stopped supplying nitromethane fuel to the drag racing industry.

Nitromethane is used in "top-fuel" dragsters, those that can accelerate from zero to 100 mph in less than a second. But the energy-packed molecule can also pose a hazard. Angus, which is the only U.S. nitromethane producer, warns in a technical data sheet that the chemical can be detonated under the right conditions. Nitromethane purchased at a racetrack was one of the components used in the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995, according to court filings.

Angus says it has tried to improve safety practices in drag racing by providing safety training and literature and by introducing colorants into the fuel. "While we have shown a commitment to the industry to maintain safe use, we have not been fully supported in our efforts," says CEO Mark Henning.

Angus will continue to sell nitromethane as a chemical intermediate, as well as for remote-controlled vehicles that use fuels containing 55% nitromethane.

A National Hot Rod Association spokesman says Angus' decision will not likely lead to supply problems for top-fuel drag racing. Great Neck, N.Y.-based Wego Chemical & Mineral is an NHRA-approved supplier of nitromethane, which it imports from its plant in China. "We have strict policies and procedures about the handling of nitromethane for our racers," he adds.

Steve Scheidker, global marketing manager for VP Racing Fuels, which had distributed nitromethane for Angus and is distributing it for Wego, agrees that NHRA has strict controls but maintains they could still be improved. For one, he says, racers aren't required to return unused nitromethane. Moreover, nitromethane from unapproved suppliers can be used for preseason events. VP Racing Fuels is proposing stricter guidelines to NHRA for next season.

Chemical & Engineering News

ISSN 0009-2347

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