Chemical accidents rise as Trump administration proposes weakening safety rules
Summary
Chemical accidents involving dangerous substances have increased significantly between 2021 and 2025. The Trump administration is proposing to weaken safety rules designed to protect workers and nearby communities from these hazardous industrial chemical releases.Key Facts
- Chemical accidents rose 57% from 83 incidents in 2021 to 131 in 2025.
- Injuries and deaths from these accidents increased from 60 to 89 over the same period.
- More than 650 chemical accidents were reported between April 2020 and May 2026, including 103 fatal incidents.
- Hydrofluoric acid, a highly corrosive chemical used in manufacturing and refineries, can travel miles if released, posing severe health risks.
- Over 150 million people live within 3 miles of facilities handling such dangerous chemicals.
- Many refineries using hydrofluoric acid were built before 1985 and have aging infrastructure.
- Communities of color, including Black and Latino populations, are most at risk from accidental chemical releases.
- Despite petitions, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not banned the use of hydrofluoric acid at refineries.
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