Was the ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas a situation where fatalities could have been reduced with better planning?

The choice indicating that better planning could have reduced fatalities from the ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas emphasizes the importance of risk management and safety protocols in handling hazardous materials. In incidents involving explosive chemicals like ammonium nitrate, effective planning can lead to the implementation of safety measures such as proper storage, distance from populated areas, emergency response training, and regular safety drills.

Improved planning could include better zoning regulations that restrict residential areas near hazardous sites, enhanced training for first responders, and more stringent inspections of facilities that store explosive materials. These proactive measures can significantly lower the likelihood of accidents and mitigate the impact should an incident occur.

In the context of the West, Texas explosion, a comprehensive risk assessment and a robust emergency preparedness strategy could have enabled responders to react more effectively and possibly prevent or reduce the extent of the disaster. This choice highlights the belief that many industrial accidents are avoidable with the right preventive measures, rather than being merely inevitable outcomes of certain circumstances or materials.