28c.1: Examples of Continuing Technological Hazards Impacts in the United States

1. Of the 6,774HAZMAT events that occur on average each year, 5,517 are highway events, 991 are railroad events, and 266 are due to other causes. … an average of 280 HAZMAT releases and spills occurred each year at fixed facilities. (SOURCE: FEMA, Multi-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, 1997. “In 1996, chemical incidents claimed the lives of the equivalent of two fully loaded 737 passenger jets--256 people died the year before. And the year before that.” Dr. Paul Hill, Chair, National Chemical Safety Accident Board, and former President, NICS. February 24, 1999 28c.1: Examples of Continuing Technological Hazards Impacts in the United States

2. Major Milestones in Development of the US Approach to Chemical-Based Technological Hazards 1979 The Three Mile Island Pennsylvania nuclear plant accident ends the long post-War era in the U.S. of tacit public confidence in technology 1981 Philadelphia adopts the first citizen RTK law in nation 1983 The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard is passed (29 CFR 1910 1200) creating the first national RTK law 1984 In Bhopal, India a release of methyl isocyanate (MIC) from a Union Carbide plant kills more than 2,000 people and affects thousands more 1985 A release of MIC at Union Carbide’s plant in Institute, West Virginia sends 100 people to the hospital 1986 The U.S. Congress passes EPCRA and extends RTK to citizens 1990 Congress passes the Clean Air Act Amendments and the Pollution Prevention Act 1996 EPA adopts the Risk Management Program Rule authorized by the Clean Air Act Amendments