Officials Discuss Toxic-Gas Plant : No Major Changes Yet for Phoenix Research in La Mesa

Sixteen state, county and city officials met Thursday afternoon for a “brainstorming” session on how best to handle the presence of a toxic-gas manufacturer in a thickly settled section of La Mesa, a city administrator said.

Assistant City Manager Bob Toone said the officials discussed the operation of Phoenix Research Corp. and how best to regulate it. No formal decisions were made at the meeting because the city wants to explore its options, he said.

“We talked about a number of things that could be done at the location, none that I could reveal now because we’re still not sure what we’re able to ask them to do,” Toone said. “None of them are major changes, though, I can say that. Because they are operating very efficiently.”

Nevertheless, Toone said the city has not ruled out the possibility of asking Phoenix to move. He said, “We’ve certainly talked about that. There are a lot of legal constraints in doing that. They’re certainly a licensed business in our community.”

Phoenix Research, 8075 Alvarado Road, manufactures arsine and phosphine gas, used by the semiconductor industry for etching computer chips. Minute quantities of arsine can kill a man in minutes. Phoenix is one of only three manufacturers of the gases nationwide.

Concern about the company arose recently after publicity surrounding the presence of the plant in La Mesa. Until an anonymous tip from a telephone caller late last year, many city officials had not known the plant was there or what it was doing.

Now Dave Hodes, a graphic artist who estimates that he lives a mile from the plant, has started a petition drive to force Phoenix out of town. Hodes said Thursday that he intends to eventually present the petition to the company and to city officials.

Attending the meeting Thursday afternoon at City Hall were representatives of the San Diego County Health Services Department’s hazardous materials program, the federal and state occupational-health and safety agencies, the regional Air Pollution Control District, the La Mesa city manager’s office, and the city’s building, planning and fire departments, Toone said.

He said all the agencies agreed that Phoenix is well run, and he said the company’s president has cooperated with city officials. The president, Randall Kelley, said recently that Phoenix has never had a fire, explosion or accidental release of either gas.

Nevertheless, experts have questioned the wisdom of risking an accident in an area where they say its effects could be devastating. Dr. Kenneth Cohen, an industrial hygienist from El Cajon and a consultant to industries nationwide, said: “In the event of a catastrophic problem at that plant, who’s going to apologize to the community for its being there?”