Charleston Chemical Spill Highlights Need for Better Data Management
A major chemical act in Charleston, WV, in 2014 highlighted the need for better data management and access to extra space storage information. The incident, involving 7,500 gallons of 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM), affected 300,000 people and was declared a federal disaster. The lack of up-to-date inspection data and accessible digital records exacerbated the situation.
The spill occurred due to the absence of regular inspections at the storage facility. Despite being used for hazardous material storage, it was not inspected by relevant agencies like the EPA, WV DEP, or OSHA. This was partly due to MCHM's classification as a non-acute toxin, which did not trigger regular inspections. The incident also exposed gaps in data management. Chemical storage reporting in West Virginia is largely on paper, making data difficult to access and use for public safety and planning purposes.
The incident was not an isolated case. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), enacted in 1976, grandfathered approximately 62,000 chemicals past data-producing requirements. The EPA does not require testing for these 60,000 chemicals. This lack of data makes it challenging to model equipment failure rates or map storage near me sites for environmental protection. The Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1009) aims to address this by requiring systematic evaluations of grandfathered chemicals.
To improve public access and safety, mandating e-filing for chemical plant reports and making data freely available online in machine-readable formats could be beneficial. This would allow for better tracking of chemical storage and potential hazards. However, even federal databases like TOXNET and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry were not helpful due to inadequate underlying data.
The 2014 Charleston spill underscored the need for better data management and access to public storage information. Mandating e-filing and improving data accessibility could enhance public safety and planning. Meanwhile, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 seeks to address the lack of data on grandfathered chemicals, aiming to improve overall chemical safety.
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