US Chemical Accidents Jump 51% Since 2021 as Trump Moves to Undo 2024 Safety Rules
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 9
US Chemical Accidents Jump 51% Since 2021 as Trump Moves to Undo 2024 Safety Rules
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 9
Summary
131 chemical releases were reported in 2025, up from 83 in 2021, while incidents involving injuries or deaths rose to 89, according to a new Peer analysis of federal data.
The report lands as the Trump administration pushes to dismantle much of the EPA's 2024 risk-management update, which requires safer technology, backup protections and planning for disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires.
Recent failures underscore the risk: a Garden Grove, California tank malfunction forced more than 40,000 evacuations, and a Longview, Washington tank collapse killed 11 workers.
The rollback already includes removing a public chemical-information website and targeting the Chemical Safety Board's $14 million budget, even though industry adopts about 90% of its safety recommendations.
More than 12,000 high-risk facilities fall under the program, and about 40% of Americans live within three miles of at least one, with critics saying the new figures likely undercount harm.
As safety data vanishes and accidents surge, how can Americans identify chemical threats next door?
With chemical accidents rising, are regulatory savings worth the growing cost in human lives?
124 Million Americans at Risk: The 2021–2026 Chemical Accident Crisis and the Battle Over US Safety Regulations
Overview
Since 2021, the United States has seen a sharp rise in chemical accidents, exposing serious weaknesses in industrial safety and regulatory oversight. This surge puts millions of people at risk, as about 40% of Americans live close to high-risk chemical facilities. The growing number and severity of these incidents highlight a systemic problem that demands urgent action. Notable disasters, like the deadly tank collapse in Washington, show the real dangers faced by workers and communities. The widespread proximity to hazardous sites underscores the urgent need for stronger safety measures and better oversight to protect public health.