Mayor Expected to OK Chemicals’ Registration

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday gave final approval to an ordinance requiring more than 56,000 businesses to register toxic chemicals stored in buildings throughout the city.

Deputy Mayor Tom Houston said Mayor Tom Bradley will sign the measure when it reaches his desk later this week.

The measure, touted by fire officials as a “model for the country,” was proposed by East San Fernando Valley Councilman Howard Finn. It is aimed at preventing the kind of problems encountered by firefighters sickened in an April blaze at a Sun Valley chemical warehouse. Fire officials complained that they were unaware the warehouse contained cyanide.

The ordinance is designed to aid the city in establishing a multimillion-dollar computerized inventory of hazardous materials stored by businesses. The inventory, expected to be set up by early next year, will provide firefighters with advance warning of the contents of a burning building.

Businesses having toxic chemicals will be assessed a fee to cover the cost of the system, but the exact amount of the fee has yet to be determined.

Once Bradley signs the measure, it will become law within 30 days. Companies will be notified by mail by the Fire Department of the reporting requirements.