On September 22, 2005, Leandro Vieira Mira, age 29, was killed in an explosion at a DuPont plant in Camaçari , Brazil . Leandro was working in the nitration unit when a fire in the filtration vase caused an explosion. Rupture of the filtration vase caused fragments to spray 30 meters out from the accident. Leandro was burned on 99 percent of his body.

After an investigation into the incident, the Government of the State of Bahia concluded that DuPont failed to implement an automatic pressure and temperature control system to a new process using hydrazine, a reactive and flammable chemical. DuPont had tested the process manually with the intent of upgrading the system before using it on an industrial scale. However, after the first test, DuPont "decided" to continue the process without a control panel or other improvements.

The Union of Chemistries and Petroleiros (BA) provided the United Steelworkers with a translated version of the investigation report. Read the detailed report here. The report quotes DuPont as saying that an explosion or toxic emission "would be minor" and not affect other areas.

The Brazillian union has previously called attention for the necessity of a bigger investment in safety for employees at this facility. Before the explosion, two accidents already had occured in Camaçari, on July 5th and August 23rd. In July, an increase of pressure in a column of the aniline unit resulted in an improper reaction, causing the release of formed polymer, CO 2 , water and a trace of hydrochloric acid. The August accident involved an operator who discovered a potential phosgene release. The worker attempted to close the valve to prevent a bigger accident, but ultimately broke his hand. Prior chemical spills and accidents also occured in 2001, 2000 and 1999 at the facility.