To Know about Chemical Accident Scenarios - Politics Plays Prominent in Government Denial of Service Attack on Itself. At the same time, the Administration has failed to even begin a Congressionally mandated site security study of chemical plants that is intended to make sure that industries take real steps to prevent such spills. Chemical fires and spills kill some 250 Americans each year. For this reason, Congress included in the Clean Air Act of 1990 a major new prevention program. The requirement followed the successful 1986 Right to Know Act that disclosed many manufacturers' toxic pollution on the Internet.
Public disclosure is intended to save lives, prevent pollution, and protect property.
Last year, however, Congress responded to claims first raised by the Chemical Manufacturers Association that disclosing hazards on the Internet would make chemical plants vulnerable to criminal activity. Congress instructed the Administration to assess the benefits and costs of public disclosure and to establish public access rules. Congress also directed the Department of Justice to study ways to improve site security at chemical plants. However, the Administration has not even begun this site security study. An interim report is due in August 2000.