Posted on Mar 3, 2022
Climate change threatens nearly one third of U.S. hazardous chemical facilities
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https://www.npr.org/2022/03/02/ [login to see] /climate-change-threatens-nearly-one-third-of-u-s-hazardous-chemical-facilities
Nearly one third of the hazardous chemical facilities in the United States are at risk from climate-driven floods, storms and wildfires, according to a new analysis by the Government Accountability Office.
The federal watchdog analyzed more than 10,000 factories, refineries, water treatment plants and other facilities that manufacture, store or use dangerous chemicals. They found that more than 3,200 of them are located in places where they face damage from sea level rise, hurricane storm surge, wildfires or flooding from heavy rain.
"Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the potential for natural hazards to trigger fires, explosions, and releases of toxic chemicals at facilities," the report's authors note.
The report calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to require facilities to prepare for floods, power outages and other effects of climate change.
Climate-driven storms have damaged numerous chemical plants, refineries and water treatment plants in recent years.
Nearly one third of the hazardous chemical facilities in the United States are at risk from climate-driven floods, storms and wildfires, according to a new analysis by the Government Accountability Office.
The federal watchdog analyzed more than 10,000 factories, refineries, water treatment plants and other facilities that manufacture, store or use dangerous chemicals. They found that more than 3,200 of them are located in places where they face damage from sea level rise, hurricane storm surge, wildfires or flooding from heavy rain.
"Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the potential for natural hazards to trigger fires, explosions, and releases of toxic chemicals at facilities," the report's authors note.
The report calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to require facilities to prepare for floods, power outages and other effects of climate change.
Climate-driven storms have damaged numerous chemical plants, refineries and water treatment plants in recent years.
Climate change threatens nearly one third of U.S. hazardous chemical facilities
Posted from npr.orgPosted in these groups: 
Chemicals
Climate Change
Flood
Natural DisasterU.S. Government Accountability Office
Chemicals Climate Change Flood Natural DisasterU.S. Government Accountability Office
Posted 2 y ago
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Hazardous waste is sometimes uniquely defined. In our business we have special procedures to handle Hazardous Waste, both drugs and non drugs sold in our drugstores. One of the things that always cracked me up was that we had special handling of nasal saline solution for babies as it was considered hazardous waste.
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I am concerned about our continued pollution of our lands and waters. I believe many chemicals have bleached into the ground and are now part of the lands DNA. At what point does our waters become too polluted to drink?
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
...""Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the potential for natural hazards to trigger fires, explosions, and releases of toxic chemicals at facilities," the report's authors note.
The report calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to require facilities to prepare for floods, power outages and other effects of climate change.
Climate-driven storms have damaged numerous chemical plants, refineries and water treatment plants in recent years.
The most stark examples have unfolded during hurricanes. In 2021, Hurricane Ida caused leaks and power outages at facilities from Louisiana to New Jersey. In 2020, Hurricane Laura forced tens of thousands of people near Lake Charles, La., to shelter in place after a local chemical plant was damaged and began leaking dangerous chlorine gas. And, in 2017, flooding from Hurricane Harvey caused massive sewage leaks from water treatment plants, and caused at least one chemical plant to catch fire and burn for days.
Flooding is by far the most widespread hazard, the report finds...."
...""Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the potential for natural hazards to trigger fires, explosions, and releases of toxic chemicals at facilities," the report's authors note.
The report calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to require facilities to prepare for floods, power outages and other effects of climate change.
Climate-driven storms have damaged numerous chemical plants, refineries and water treatment plants in recent years.
The most stark examples have unfolded during hurricanes. In 2021, Hurricane Ida caused leaks and power outages at facilities from Louisiana to New Jersey. In 2020, Hurricane Laura forced tens of thousands of people near Lake Charles, La., to shelter in place after a local chemical plant was damaged and began leaking dangerous chlorine gas. And, in 2017, flooding from Hurricane Harvey caused massive sewage leaks from water treatment plants, and caused at least one chemical plant to catch fire and burn for days.
Flooding is by far the most widespread hazard, the report finds...."
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