"NBC 5 Investigates has analyzed data released by a Washington D.C.-based research group and found dozens of facilities across the Chicago area that store or use toxic chemicals which - if released in an accidental leak or explosion - could directly affect hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren throughout the city and suburbs.

Many local schools are in the "vulnerability zones" of four, five and even up to six area facilities. But there has been little way for any family to find out if their child's school is in one of these zones -- until now.

On the evening of April 17, 2013, a massive blast at a fertilizer company in West, Texas, killed 15 people and injured 160 others. The explosion shattered windows seven miles away, and damaged or destroyed 150 buildings, including three schools. One of those schools -- West Middle School -- sat right next to the company."

Chicago's NBC 5 News had the story October 1, 2014. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Kids in Danger Zones" (Center for Effective Government) [3]

"149 County Schools at Risk for Chemical Catastrophe: Report" (NBC 7 San Diego) [4]

"Report: 1 in 3 School Kids Faces Risk of Chemical Catastrophe" (Public News Service) [5]

"ACC Comments on Center for Effective Government Report" (American Chemistry Council Release) [6]

"Group Claims Students at Risk From Chemicals" (Dallas Morning News) [7]