Fact Check: "Chemical incidents investigated by CSB caused over 1,300 serious injuries."
What We Know
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has a long history of investigating chemical incidents in the United States. According to the CSB, over its 27-year history, the agency has investigated nearly 180 major chemical incidents that resulted in more than 200 fatalities and over 1,300 serious injuries (CSB Releases New Video). This statistic highlights the significant impact of chemical incidents on public safety and underscores the importance of the CSB's role in investigating such events.
The CSB's investigations not only focus on immediate injuries and fatalities but also encompass broader economic and environmental damages, which can amount to billions of dollars (CSB Releases New Video). The agency has documented various incidents leading to serious injuries, including notable cases like the explosion at the Husky Refinery in Wisconsin, which injured 36 people (CSB Releases New Video).
Analysis
The claim that "chemical incidents investigated by CSB caused over 1,300 serious injuries" is substantiated by the CSB's own reports and public statements. The agency's assertion that it has documented over 1,300 serious injuries is consistent across multiple sources, including their video releases and incident reports (CSB Incident Reports: Volume One).
While the CSB is a credible source, it is essential to consider the context and potential biases in their reporting. As an independent federal agency, the CSB's primary mission is to enhance chemical safety, which may lead to a focus on the severity of incidents to advocate for improved safety measures. However, the data provided by the CSB is corroborated by multiple reports and investigations, making it a reliable source of information regarding chemical incidents.
Moreover, the CSB's investigations have led to over 1,000 safety recommendations aimed at preventing future incidents, further emphasizing their commitment to improving safety in the chemical industry (CSB Releases New Video). This proactive approach adds credibility to their claims about the serious injuries resulting from the incidents they investigate.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "chemical incidents investigated by CSB caused over 1,300 serious injuries" is accurate based on the CSB's documented history and reports. The agency's data, which indicates over 1,300 serious injuries from nearly 180 major incidents, supports this assertion. The CSB's role in investigating these incidents and advocating for safety improvements further underscores the importance of their findings.
Sources
- CSB Releases New Video, "Safety Pays Off: The Value of Vigilance"
- CSB Incident Reports: Volume One
- Completed Investigations - Investigations | CSB
- INCIDENT REPORTS
- Improving Reactive Hazard Management
- CSB Releases Chemical Incident Data from Reporting Rule
- Ethylene Release and Fire at Kuraray America, Inc. EVAL
- News Releases - Media Room | CSB
