CSB Releases Chemical Incident Data from Reporting Rule

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently released key data reported to the agency under its “Accidental Release Reporting Rule.” The release of the data is the latest initiative undertaken by the CSB to improve transparency and provide the public with information about chemical incidents throughout the country.

CSB Interim Executive Steve Owens said, “The people of this country have a right to know about chemical incidents that occur in their communities. The CSB is committed to making this important information available to the public.”

The CSB’s data includes 162 incidents which resulted in 25 fatalities, 92 serious injuries and 68 instances of substantial property damage, for which the CSB has received reports since the rule went into effect in March 2020. The CSB's reporting rule requires prompt reporting to the CSB by owners or operators of facilities that experience an accidental release of a regulated substance or extremely hazardous substance that results in a death, serious injury or substantial property damage.

Board Member Sylvia Johnson said, "The CSB wants to help inform communities about chemical incidents occurring in their own backyard."

Download the updated CSB's Data (July 2022)

The CSB will provide updated data to the public quarterly.

About the CSB

The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency whose mission is to drive chemical safety change through independent investigations to protect people and the environment. The agency’s board members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical incidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. The CSB does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. For more information, please visit www.csb.gov.