Extreme Weather, Chemical Facilities, and Vulnerable Communities in the U.S. Gulf Coast: A Disastrous Combination

Abstract Many chemical facilities are located in low‐lying coastal areas and vulnerable to damage from hurricanes, flooding, and erosion, which are increasing with climate change. Extreme weather can trigger industrial disasters, including explosions, fires, and major chemical releases, as well as c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Susan C. Anenberg, Casey Kalman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2019-05-01
Series:GeoHealth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GH000197
Description
Summary:Abstract Many chemical facilities are located in low‐lying coastal areas and vulnerable to damage from hurricanes, flooding, and erosion, which are increasing with climate change. Extreme weather can trigger industrial disasters, including explosions, fires, and major chemical releases, as well as chronic chemical leakage into air, water, and soil. We identified 872 highly hazardous chemical facilities within 50 miles of the hurricane‐prone U.S. Gulf Coast. Approximately 4,374,000 people, 1,717 schools, and 98 medical facilities were within 1.5 miles of these facilities. Public health risks from colocated extreme weather, chemical facilities, and vulnerable populations are potentially disastrous and growing under climate change.
ISSN:2471-1403