"CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Thousands of people living within four miles of the Bayer CropScience plant in Institute could have been exposed to potentially harmful levels of methyl isocyanate if the contents of an MIC tank located near an August 2008 explosion had been released, according to a government study obtained by the Gazette.

Residents closest to the plant -- those within a mile of the sprawling facility -- could have been exposed to MIC concentrations that are classified as 'immediately dangerous to life or health,' according to the study from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

The study, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, examined the potential toxic plume if 13,700 pounds of MIC escaped in a leak from the plant."

Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette February 24, 2011. [2]