Public Risks from Chemical Facilities Aren't Just Theoretical

May 13, 2009–Accidents and criminal actions at private and government facilities continue to threaten millions of people. Find the accident history in counties you cover.

Congress Chiefs Want Probe into Secret Bayer Poison Gas

May 7, 2009–House Energy Chair Waxman and Senate Commerce Chair Rockefeller call for investigation of whether Bayer could use safer chemicals at its Institute WV plant.

RTK NET Relaunches Chemical Risk Data Site

May 7, 2009–RTK NET's powerful tools make it easy to see which cities face the worst chemical risks, and what chemicals are involved.

Citizens Journalist and Citizens Scientific Redefine Disaster Story

May 1, 2009–

NOAA To Swarm Around Tornadoes This Spring

April 29, 2009–Researchers, journalists in tow, will be chasing tornadoes around the central US in May and June to learn more about how tornadoes work, and better predict them and their paths.

After Secrecy Claims, Bayer's Own Lapses Revealed as Biggest Threat

April 22, 2009–A U.S. Chemical Safety Board public hearing, delayed for a month due to Bayer's pleas for secrecy, finds lack of safety to be contributing factors to the 'accident' that killed two at an Institute, WV, plant in August 2008.

CSB Reschedules W.VA. Meeting After Bayer Secrecy Demands

March 25, 2009–A public meeting regarding the U.S. Chemical Safety Board's investigation of the August 2008 explosion at Bayer CropScience which killed two workers, originally scheduled for March 19, was postponed to April 23, 2009.

EPA Inspector General Rips Risk Management Plan Follow-Up

March 25, 2009–A new Office of Inspector General report found many chemical facilities storing large amounts of dangerous chemicals had not filed their required RMPs -- and that EPA was not checking often for compliance.

New Tool Available For Localizing Coal Ash Controversy

March 4, 2009–A new map and report by the Center for Public Integrity make it easier to pinpoint exact locations of coal-ash deposits, a waste product of coal-fired power plants.

Feds Find Big Flaws in Current Flood Maps

February 4, 2009–Flood maps for riparian areas and coastal zones are in need of significant improvement, according to a new National Academies report. The benefits of implementing the improvements would substantially outweigh the costs.