Rising Chemical Accidents Amid Trump Administration’s Push to Roll Back Safety Rules

Federal data compiled by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board show chemical accidents that release substances into the atmosphere increased from 83 in 2021 to 131 in 2025—a rise of at least 51 %. Injuries or fatalities rose from 60 to 89 over the same period, with 73 reported in 2024. The trend follows two high-profile events: a malfunctioning tank in Garden Grove, California that forced the evacuation of more than 40,000 residents, and a tank collapse at a Longview, Washington plant that killed 11 workers. Analysts note the figures likely undercount incidents that do not vent to the atmosphere.

The Guardian

Under the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) program, more than 12,500 high-risk facilities must develop protocols to prevent or mitigate releases, protect workers, first responders, and nearby communities. Updated 2024 rules required installation of detection technology, fire-suppression systems, “kill switches” or automatic shut-offs, and contingency plans for “double disasters” such as hurricanes or wildfires. The Trump administration has eliminated the public website listing chemicals at facilities and is seeking to undo most of the 2024 updates. It also targets the Chemical Safety Board, a non-regulatory agency with a $14 million budget whose safety recommendations are adopted by about 90 % of industry. The administration plans to finalize the new rules by fall. Approximately 40 % of Americans live within three miles of at least one of the more than 12,000 high-risk sites.

The Guardian

Peer executive director Tim Whitehouse, a former EPA enforcement attorney, warned that “Like our public infrastructure, America’s industrial infrastructure is ageing, making disastrous failures increasingly likely.” He added that “Serious chemical accidents are becoming an almost daily occurrence.” Senior counsel Jeff Ruch said the data “are probably an undercount” because they exclude indoor exposures. Former EPA policy adviser Marc Boom argued the administration is shifting risk from companies onto nearby communities, noting that many accidents are preventable.

The Guardian

• “Like our public infrastructure, America’s industrial infrastructure is ageing, making disastrous failures increasingly likely,” — Tim Whitehouse, Executive Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer)

The Guardian

• “Serious chemical accidents are becoming an almost daily occurrence.” — Tim Whitehouse, Peer

The Guardian

• “This report makes plain what communities, workers and first responders already know: chemical disasters are happening far too often, and are too often undercounted,” — Marc Boom, Senior Director, Environmental Protection Network

The Guardian

• “Many are preventable, but instead of strengthening safeguards, this EPA is trying to weaken the rules designed to stop them.” — Marc Boom, Environmental Protection Network

The Guardian

• “You better hope you’re lucky in that there’s no proactive effort to make sure that these ultra-dangerous facilities are operating safely,” — Jeff Ruch, Senior Counsel, Peer

The Guardian