Overview

The soil underneath a local soccer field. The river that runs through the center of your town. The air circulating above an industrial complex. All are important components of our environment—and all are extremely vulnerable to toxic contamination.

Across the United States, thousands of industrial facilities use and store hazardous chemicals in quantities that put large numbers of Americans at risk of serious injury or death.
The risk is widespread—according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 100 facilities each put more than 1 million people at risk of injury or death in the event of an accident or terrorist attack.

EPA estimates that four toxic chemicals used at chemical facilities account for 55 percent of the harm to surrounding communities. These substances are chlorine gas, anhydrous ammonia, hydrogen fluoride and sulfur dioxide. A recent report found that all four chemicals have readily available and proven safer alternatives that are cost effective.

There is simply no excuse, rationalization or justification adequate to allow our neighborhoods to become polluted by toxic waste. That’s why we’re fighting to make sure our environment is safe, healthy and secure.