Missouri Receives EPA Grant to Review Chemical Storage Sites
Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) recently received a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which SEMA will use to review chemical storage safety at several sites across the state, according to a recent CBS news report.
The grant funds will be used to focus on chemical processing and storage sites that handle between 500 and 20,000 pounds of chemicals. Auditors working under the grant program will focus on facilities that have not filed complete, accurate, and/or timely reports as required under the federal Clean Air Act. These facilities are required to file these and other regular reports with the EPA, but the audits will review the reports for accuracy and timeliness.
By awarding the grant to the Missouri SEMA, the EPA also hopes to improve cooperation among Missouri’s chemical facilities, SEMA officials, and the communities in which large chemical facilities are located. SEMA expects to work with local emergency management officials to give them a better understanding of what chemicals each facility handles and what community emergency plans might be necessary in case of an accident.
The spill or airborne release of chemicals is rare, but these accidents can have serious consequences. Many industrial chemicals are hazardous to human health, and some can even cause death. If you or someone you love has been injured by chemical exposure in Missouri, please don’t hesitate to contact Page Law. Our knowledgeable St. Louis chemical exposure injury attorneys will fight to protect your rights and hold any negligent parties accountable for the harm their actions caused. For a free case evaluation, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515.
