Chemical Spills
Published on Nov 19, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
ELK RIVER CHEMICAL SPILL
JANUARY 9, 2014
In Charleston, West Virginia, 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol, a foaming agent used in coal preparation process, spilled into the Elk River. It left 300,000 people without water. Freedom Industries was to blame as they did not make necessary repairs to the holes in the tank which led to the spill. Possible health problems were concerning as a long term affect. Four of the owners of Freedom Industries were charged with 3 counts of violating the clean water act
TVA ASH SLURRY SPILL
DECEMBER 22, 2008
In Harriman, Tennesee, over 1 billion gallons of water and fly ash containing heavy metals containing lead and arsenic spilled and covered over 400 acres. The fish species in the surrounding ponds were not reported as being affected, however many were found floating dead. 12 people's homes were destroyed and it caused a train crash. TVA knew the embankment was fragile but didn't do anything about it. It cost 1 billion dollars in cleanup and TVA was not punished
JILIN PLANT EXPLOSION
NOVEMBER 13, 2005
100 tons of chemicals were released including benzene and nitrobenzene after the explosion. The explosion was caused when an employee tried to free a blockade and left the valve open. 6 people were killed and dozens injured. 10,000 people were evacuated from their homes and the chemicals posed possible leukemia for those exposed. A "toxic slick" from the plant polluted the Songhau River which travelled through Russia and emptied into the Pacific Ocean. The water was turned off and eventually the power because the chemicals began to start fires. No reports were made that any wildlife was harmed. Two head figures were forced to resign because of their failure to make necessary repairs
BHOPAL DISASTER
DECEMBER 2, 1984
A methyl isocyanate gas leak at Union Carbide's pesticide plant in Bhopal, India which caused 15,000 people to die along with over 2,000 animals and serious effects to vegetation. The leak was caused by large amounts of water had entered the rank which caused a chemical reaction. Those who survived needed urgent medical attention and many didn't live much longer. Many near the area still suffer from respiratory problems and other health issues related to this incident. Union Carbide had to pay Bhopal, India a settlement of 470 million dollars. This incident showed that chemical plants shouldn't be located closely to such a densely populated area
SEVESO DISASTER
JULY 10, 1976
In Seveso, Italy, a reactor at the ICMESA chemical plant overheated and caused an explosion. A toxic cloud of 2,4,5- Trichlorophenol spread to the densely populated city of Seveso. Animals started to die and then people became ill with chloracne. No people died but many suffered long term health issues as severe as neurological problems. However, over 700 were evacuated from the surrounding area. The employees at the plant did not have the reactor at the appropriate temperature and could have avoided the explosion if they were more careful
Sources
• http://emergency.cdc.gov/chemical/MCHM/westvirginia2014/
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/09/elk-river-chemical-spill-wv_n_4571...
• http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/us/owners-of-chemical-company-charged-in-...
•http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/TVA_Kingston_Fossil_Plant_coal_ash_spi...
• http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/rperks/tva_could_have_prevented_tenne.htm...
• http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/22/coal-ash-spill/4143995
• http://ejatlas.org/conflict/the-jilin-chemical-plant-explosions-songhua-riv...
• http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0769091.html
• http://www.icis.com/resources/news/2008/10/06/9160653/a-guide-to-major-chem...
• http://www.icis.com/resources/news/2008/10/06/9160653/a-guide-to-major-chem...
• http://www.toxipedia.org/plugins/servlet/mobile#content/view/1427
• http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/bhopal-disaster.html
• http://www.icis.com/resources/news/2008/10/06/9160653/a-guide-to-major-chem...
• http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1986457_1986...
• http://www.getipm.com/articles/seveso-italy.htm
Photo by Boston Public Library
