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8167883 
Journal Article 
Learn lessons from the PEPCON explosions 
Segraves, RO; Wickersham, D 
1991 
Yes 
Chemical Engineering Progress
ISSN: 0360-7275 
87 
6 
65-69 
English 
On May 4, 1988, explosions destroyed the Pacific Engineering and Production Co. (PEPCON) plant near Henderson, NV, about 12 miles south of Las Vegas. The explosions caused about $100 million in damages to the surrounding community and completely destroyed a neighboring marshmallow plant. About 350 persons were injured. Two people died, the plant's operations manager and the PEPCON parent company's comptroller. This paper provides an investigators report revealing what went wrong at the ammonium perchlorate plant and how to prevent it and other similar disasters in the future.