Who can be held responsible if anhydrous ammonia is tampered with?

The owner or lawful custodian of the container can be held responsible if anhydrous ammonia is tampered with due to the inherent legal and custodial responsibilities they hold for the substance. This individual or entity is expected to maintain the integrity and security of the chemical, as they have direct control over its storage and handling. When a product is tampered with, particularly one that is hazardous like anhydrous ammonia, the owner is typically accountable for ensuring that proper safety measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access and tampering.

The role of the owner or custodian is crucial because they are positioned to take appropriate actions to safeguard the substance, such as implementing secure storage procedures and conducting regular inspections. This legal expectation shifts responsibility to them, especially in cases where negligence may have led to the tampering incident, rather than transferring that responsibility solely to external parties like manufacturers or government entities.

In contrast, while manufacturers could have certain responsibilities related to the quality and safety of their products, they are not considered custodians once the product is in the possession of the owner. Local police departments and state governments generally do not have direct responsibility over the individual actions related to specific containers unless there are specific regulatory measures that come into play, but they are not responsible for