Home — Prevent Chemical Disasters

Hazardous chemical incidents, including fires, explosions and toxic releases, occur every other day on average in the United States.

There have been at least 218 incidents in 2024. View the data.

These incidents harm communities living near hazardous facilities, who are too often forced to evacuate and shelter in place in their aftermath. They have killed and injured on-site workers. And they pollute the air, water and soil, cumulatively harming our health.

Incidents are happening at chemical plants, oil and gas extraction sites, refineries, refrigerated warehouses, water treatment plants, paper mills, recycling centers, chemical distribution centers, and other facilities where hazardous chemicals are stored, and on roads and railways where hazardous chemicals are transported.

Our coalition is calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies to implement stronger regulations to prevent chemical disasters. Learn More.

Chemical warehouse firePassaic, New Jersey, 2022

Facilities can store thousands of pounds of flammable chemicals without federal regulation. Learn more.

Westlake ChemicalLake Charles, Louisiana, 2021

This single Louisiana facility has reported dozens of harmful incidents to the EPA.

Shell ChemicalNorco, Louisiana, 2021

Chemical plants storing large quantities of toxic chemicals were hit hard by Hurricane Ida.

Arkema disasterCrosby, Texas, 2017

Facilities regulated under EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) should be required to prepare for extreme flooding and other climate events.

Chemical Incidents Near You

Click here or on the map to view chemical incidents that have occurred in the U.S. since January 2021. Or use our database to search for incidents in your state and search all incidents by sector, location, and keyword.