Facts About Chemical Spills
In the United States alone, thousands of hazardous chemicals are used by manufacturers and industrial plants. Through improper storage or accidents during transport, these chemicals can spill and cause harm to people and the environment.
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Three Cs
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Emergency responders handle chemical spills with the principle of three Cs: Control it, Contain it, and Clean it up.
Chemicals and Soil
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The most effective way to decontaminate soil after a chemical spill is to remove the first three inches of topsoil and dispose of it. A two-inch coat of lime and fresh topsoil should speed the earth's natural recovery time.
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Chemical Spill Response
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In the case of an emergency chemical spill, several agencies are equipped to respond, including the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Reportable Quantity
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Under the U.S. Superfund law, companies with chemical spills that equal or surpass the established "reportable quantity" must stand accountable to federal authorities.
Chinese Chemical Spill
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Nearly 20,000 people lost their water supply in northeastern China when two large chemical spills dumped toxins into a 62-mile stretch of river in 2006.
American Chemical Spill
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In 1995, a chemical storage facility near Savannah, Georgia exploded, causing a harmful chemical spill that formed clouds of deadly hydrogen sulfide gas.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit chemical processing factory image by Jeff Dalton from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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what do u do when there is a chemical spill.
