Physicist Ronald Koopman recently warned about the potential for deadly accidents at facilities that use hydrofluoric acid, a highly corrosive and dangerous chemical.
An analysis by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility revealed a 57 percent increase in chemical accidents between 2021 and 2025, with injuries and deaths also rising.
Close to 150 million people live within 3 miles of facilities that use hazardous chemicals, with historically underserved and overburdened populations facing greater risks.
Many refineries were built before 1985, and their aging infrastructure increases the likelihood of accidents.
