APES Environmental Disasters and Legislation

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)

The 'cradle-to-grave' act giving the EPA authority to track hazardous waste from generation to disposal.

CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act)

Known as the 'Superfund'; cleans up abandoned toxic waste sites using taxes on waste producers.

Clean Air Act

Sets primary/secondary standards and limits for 7 major criteria air pollutants; milestone in air quality laws

Clean Water Act

Prohibits point source pollution without permits, using BPT (point sources) and BAT (toxins) to achieve 'fishable and swimmable' waters.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Allows the EPA to set health standards protecting public drinking water supplies and sources.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

An international agreement regulating the trade of endangered species to ensure biological sustainability and survival.

Endangered Species Act

US law identifying and protecting endangered and threatened species, requiring recovery plans by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Montreal Protocol

A successful international treaty to eliminate ozone-depleting substances like CFCs.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement binding developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; more developed nations get tighter regulations

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Prohibits the FDA from approving any food or drug chemical additives shown to induce cancer.

Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986)

-Catastrophic nuclear reactor steam explosion and fire releasing massive amounts of radioactive material

-Soil, air, and water bio-accumulated radioactivity

-200 ton steel structure built around reactor

-Soldiers removed debris in 90 sec increments

Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania (1979)

-Partial nuclear reactor meltdown, leading to release of radioactive waste water into Susquehanna River

-Led to reduced US nuclear reactor construction

-Clean up of reactor and immediate site

Bhopal, India (1984)

-Toxic air disaster releasing methyl isocyanate from a pesticide plant, causing 3800 immediate deaths

-Soil and water toxic to fish

-Company was sued, clean up not completed

Exxon Valdez, Alaska (1989)

-Oil tanker struck reef and spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil, leading to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990

-Pressure washed beaches, which caused more damage by killing marine life

Love Canal, New York

-Hazardous waste dumped in a canal, built over with schools and housing

-1st to be added to Superfund after CERCLA was passed

-Houses demolished, covered area with plastic/clay

BP Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico (2010)

-Explosion and sinking of Deepwater horizon oil rig released 210 million gallons of oil into ocean

-Damage to marine and wildlife habitats, 11 people killed

-Corexit (chemical) to break up oil, wells capped, skimmers to remove oil

Seveso, Italy (1976)

-Chemical plant explosion releasing cloud of toxic dioxin

-Soil excavated and treated, victims compensated for health problems, led to strict industrial safety regulations

London Smog (1952)

-Severe coal smoke and fog mixture trapped by an anticyclone, leading to the Clean Air Act of 1956

-Air pollution that led to death, respiratory disease, cardiac arrest

-No clean up, fog dispersed on its own

1st Gulf War Oil Spill (1991)

-Iraqi military's intentional burning of oil wells and release of oil into the Persian Gulf

-Poisoned water, killed marine life, toxic fumes/soot, oil lakes

-Petroleum-degrading bacteria, extinguished and capped burning wells

Baia Mare, Romania (2000)

-Dam burst releasing cyanide into the Somes River

-Killed aquatic plant/animal life for miles, drinking water shortages

-Never cleaned up

James Bay, Quebec (1971)

-Hydroelectric river diversions flooding Boreal forest and releasing mercury that bioaccumulated in fish, poisoning the Cree population's food

-James Bay Mercury Agreement goal = lower health hazards and negative impact on Cree people

Fukushima Daiichi, Japan (2011)

-Earthquake and tsunami flooding backup generators, causing nuclear meltdowns and radiation release

-12 mile evacuation zone due to radiation in atmosphere

-Built containment zone to prevent more contamination (Caesium-137) in Pacific ocean