|
|
Each year, companies in the United States report thousands of chemical fires and spills. Many companies must also disclose potential hazards to workers and communities. Learn about the public's right to know and to freely communicate about these chemical industry hazards, and about efforts to prevent pollution, save lives, and protect property through safer technologies.
Reducing Chemical Hazards
Honoring Right-to-Know Principles
Reducing Chemical Hazards
-
Preventing Toxic Terrorism
(ADOBE PDF)
This report looks at how some 284 facilities in 47 states have dramatically reduced the danger of a chemical release into nearby communities by switching to safer processes or moving to safer locations, and highlights the need for a national program to make thousands of other chemical facilities safer neighbors.
-
Chemical Plant Security Breaches in the News
Government studies of the chemical industry found security against terrorists to be "fair to poor," while a terrorist attack triggering an industrial toxic release remains "a clear and credible threat." Around some chemical plants, a chemical release could harm many thousands of people. The industry claims security has improved, but news reports detail more than 100 instances of chemical plant security failing to keep out uninvited reporters, thieves and security test personnel. Voluntary industry security codes are no substitute for federal chemical security standards and safer, more secure technologies that reduce or eliminate unnecessary chemical hazards in our communities.
| Fact Sheet - October 23, 2007 |
-
Who Has Warned About Terrorism at Chemical Plants?
Many experts have cautioned that terrorists can target industrial facilities that use extremely hazardous substances. See the government agencies, research institutes, trade associations, labor unions, and public interest groups that have warned of the dangers posed by hazardous chemicals in communities.
| Fact Sheet - November 14, 2005 |
-
Texas City Refinery Explosion Verifies Need for Safer Chemicals
Hazardous chemicals at BP Amoco’s Texas City refinery exploded early Wednesday afternoon, March 23, 2005, killing 14 and injuring over 100. Could the devastating effects of this accident have been lessened with safer chemicals and technologies?
| Press Release - March 24, 2005 |
-
Unnecessary Dangers
(ADOBE PDF)
This report investigates chemical emergency release hazards at power plants, and the safer alternatives that can starkly reduce those dangers.
-
Voluntary Chemical Security Won't Protect Us
In response to growing concern that terrorist attacks on chemical plants could harm thousands of plant neighbors, the American Chemistry Council industry association published “Site Security Guidelines for the U.S. Chemical Industry” in October 2001, followed by a “Security Code of Management Practices” in June 2002. This voluntary industry effort offers no real accountability for public safety.
| Fact Sheet - October 22, 2004 |
-
“Report Card” for Your Local Emergency Planning Committee
There are several thousand Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) across the country that are intended to identify chemical hazards, plan for emergencies, convey public information, and include all citizens. But are the LEPCs working? This "Report Card" contains some criteria for evaluating your LEPC.
| Work Sheet - July 2, 2004 |
-
“Shelter in Place” Won’t Protect Us
Companies that use extremely hazardous chemicals often tell people that live, work, or go to school nearby to “shelter in place” during a toxic cloud emergency. That means go indoors and close doors, windows, and vents, and wait for toxic fumes to blow away. The following timeline illustrates that sheltering will not protect numerous nearby people at risk.
| Work Sheet - July 18, 2003 |
-
Survey of Chemical Industry Hazard Reduction to Protect Public Safety
Find out what 700 hazardous chemical-using facilites said when asked whether the they had taken steps, or planned to take steps, to reduce the size of the off-site area where members of the public could be injured or killed in a worst-case chemical accident or terrorist attack.
| Fact Sheet - February 1, 2002 |
-
Testimony of Paul Orum
The Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, Risk, and Waste Management conducted a legislative hearing on S. 1602, the Chemical Site Security Act of 2001.
| Testimony - November 14, 2001 |
Honoring Right-to-Know Principles
-
Katrina Update: Government's Inadequate Response Continues
Our government's response to Hurricane Katrina's aftermath continues to endanger returning residents and disaster responders. The Working Group offers our government the following list of recommendations to protect health and safety of residents.
| Fact Sheet - October 18, 2005 |
- Add more items from our Archive -
|
