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Containing Toxicity with Policy . Natural Disaster. Chemical Plant Locations. Are there site regulations for chemical manufacturing and distribution plants? Interested in the what to do about Katrina’s toxic soup? Could it have been prevented?
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Containing Toxicity with Policy Natural Disaster
Chemical Plant Locations • Are there site regulations for chemical manufacturing and distribution plants? • Interested in the what to do about Katrina’s toxic soup? Could it have been prevented? • Is your home in a hazard zone? Do you know what to do?
Still Unclear • Do chemical facilities need to be in a location less prone to natural disaster? • There are so many of them • Laws and standards focus on employees health & safety, pre-treatment, release into environment, accident clean-up, registration of chemicals, application, licensing of users, etc. • EPA inspects sites for misuse and neglect • It seems to be up to the local zoning board and state agencies but not the Federal Government until cleanup (see Superfund Sites)
Nuclear Waste and Energy Plants • Highly regulated • Many federal agencies involved • Agreement necessary between agencies • Not everything is known about the effects to our environment and the environmental effects to the site • Government tries to prepare for the worst when it suits them
Site Location Regulations? • Elements considered for waste. . . • Time travel to groundwater • Weather • Fault and earthquake hazard • Site intrusion for theft of natural elements • Site intrusion for chemicals or nuclear product • Transportation • Site ownership?
People Involved • Chemical: • Environmental Protection Agency • U.S Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board • Occupational Safety and Health Administration • American Chemistry Council (formerly CMA) • Governor, State Agencies, Tribal Council, Unions, Citizens
People Involved • Nuclear: • Department of Energy • Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Environmental Protection Agency • National Academy of Sciences • Oversite Office • Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board • NRC, State, and Project Scientists • Governor, City Officials, Tribal Council, Citizens
Benefits • Nuclear: • Fossil fuel replacement • CO2 in the atmosphere reduced • Global climate changes slowed • If not Milankovich cycles • Chemical: • Better living; Food and products
Science-Policy ConnectionsPrior to Facility Set Up • Can humans handle the unpredictable nature of our climate and other unexpected events concerning hazards with preventative policy? • Can communities determine what products and energy source is right for them? Veto industry establishment. • Capitalism vs. Environment