Press Release

PITTSBURGH, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gov. Mark Schweiker and DEP Secretary David E. Hess have recognized Callery Chemical Company, a Division of Mine Safety Appliances Company (Amex: MSA) (MSA), for its commitment to watershed stewardship and environmental protection. Callery Chemical Company was one of 24 organizations from across Pennsylvania selected to receive the prestigious Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship for 2002.

"It is my great honor to congratulate the winners of the 2002 Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship," Gov. Schweiker said. "These individuals and organizations are reclaiming abandoned mine lands, protecting and restoring our valuable watersheds and reaching out to our communities to educate them about the importance of Pennsylvania's natural resources."

Over the past six years, Earth Day festivities sponsored by Callery Chemical Company have become a local tradition. Aside from providing a fun festival and family event for area residents, the MSA-sponsored Earth Day festivals are having a lasting effect on the Breakneck Creek watershed.

MSA organizes a committee that plans Earth Day festivals and reinforces the importance of watershed protection. Held every April near the Evans City plant in Butler County, the festival features educational exhibits sponsored by area high schools, local emergency response groups, environmental awareness groups, DEP and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Approximately 1,000 adults and children attended the 2001 festival and got their hands wet stocking the Breakneck Creek with fingerling fish. Educators and environmental professionals used exhibits to teach attendees about the watershed and its value to the community. The festival also featured a "Clean Watershed - Clean Water" poster contest to educate local elementary school students about water quality issues.

MSA's committee also developed a detailed map of the watershed supporting Breakneck Creek, which is displayed at the festival and provided to the local high school for use in groundwater protection classes. The map is a creative tool to illustrate the size and geography of the watershed, as well as demonstrate how the community impacts the watershed and the wildlife that depend on it.

Being the single largest water user in the Evans City area, MSA understands the importance of water conservation. When the region was faced with a water shortage, MSA educated its associates with pamphlets and brochures to ensure that employees were taking water conservation measures in the workplace. MSA associates also worked with the local water authority to raise conservation awareness among residents and the community.

"MSA is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Breakneck Creek watershed and we're proud that Governor Schweiker and DEP Secretary Hess have recognized us for our efforts," said Brett R. Bosley, general manager, Callery Chemical Company. "The energy and enthusiasm of our associates and community participants have been key to our success in protecting and enhancing our regional environment and native wildlife for the enjoyment of future generations."

This year's 25 winners have proven their commitment to sustaining the health of Pennsylvania's watersheds. Collectively, they have removed 142,760 pounds of trash; installed 25,783 feet of streambank fencing; stabilized 3,752 feet of streambank; created 810 acres of wetlands; reclaimed 200 acres of abandoned mine land and improved 48.5 miles of mine drainage-polluted streams. The effects of these accomplishments have been immediate and invaluable.

This year marks the second annual Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship. In 1999, former Governor Tom Ridge signed into law "Growing Greener" -- the largest-ever investment of state funds to address Pennsylvania's critical environmental issues. Since then, watershed groups, local governments and conservation districts have taken advantage of these state dollars to implement watershed protection projects. These awards honor the individuals and organizations engaged in safeguarding and enhancing our environment across Pennsylvania.

An independent panel of judges, who select winners based on a variety of criteria, including economic and environmental impact, pollution prevention, teamwork, public service and educational efforts, evaluate the projects.

Established in 1914, MSA is the world's leading provider of quality products and services that protect people's health and safety and the environment. The company has annual sales of approximately $550 million, with manufacturing operations throughout the United States and 27 international affiliates.

The Callery Chemical Company division of MSA was founded in 1948 and is the world's leading supplier of commercial quantities of boron chemicals, metal alkoxides, and alkali metals. These specialty chemicals are used in a variety of applications, including respiratory protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals, plastics, flavors, fragrances and polmyers.

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SOURCE Mine Safety Appliances Company
CONTACT: Mark Deasy of Ketchum, +1-412-456-3843, for Mine Safety Appliances Company; or Brett Bosley of Mine Safety Appliances Company, +1-412-967-4249
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/146592.html