The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "chemical safety" ...
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Camp Lejeune: Deadly Waters
Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina had been exposed to toxic drinking and bathing water for 30 years despite warnings from outside contractors. When people began raising questions about the contaminated water, base officials ignored them.
Tags: toxic; contaminated; water safety; marines; chemicals
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World's Untold Stories: 25 Years After Midnight
25 years ago a documentary series traveled to Bhopal, a city which suffered the world’s worst industrial disaster that same day. This series focuses on Bhopal and what has changed and what hasn’t. Also, it looks at the lives of the survivors and many of them have given up their lives to speak out about the disaster. “Their experiences tell a story of survival, determination and hope-as they work to help the victims, and ensure that the world never forgets what happened there”.
Tags: India; chemicals; Union Carbide plant; pesticide; rights group; residents; town; environment; safety; medical; money; assistance
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Chemical Fallout
"The reporters exposed inept government programs that favor chemical makers over the needs of the public. They detailed conflicts of interest among regulators and uncovered new hidden threats for consumers. The newspaper tested common household plastics billed as "microwave safe" and found toxic levels of chemicals leaching from every item tested."
Tags: chemicals; toxins; public safety; government protection; bisphenol A; Environmental Protection Agency; Food and Drug Administration;
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A Body's Burden
The authors tested a typical family's blood, hair, and urine for the presence of several everyday chemical contaminants known collectively as our "body's burden." The investigation revealed the presence of flame retardants, plastics, metals, PCBs, even the chemical precursors for Teflon and Gore-Tex in each family member, with concentrations in the children often far outpacing those in their parents.
Tags: pollution; contamination; public safety; health; chemical contamination; body burden; blood testing
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In Harm's Way
The Houston Chronicle funded and conducted a study into air quality at 84 homes and 16 public places in four Southwest Texas communities adjacent to major refineries and/or chemical plants. The newspaper also analyzed more than a decade's worth of air pollution data collected by the state. The effort revealed that residents in this area were being exposed to elevated levels of dangerous and cancer-causing pollutants. Officials were aware of this and some of their own employees charged with monitoring the air were getting sick themselves. The study was able to pinpoint the culprit, adjacent industries.
Tags: pollution; industrial waste; public safety; pollutants; benzene; 1; 3-butadiene; air toxins; Texas Release Inventory; Texas Emissions Events; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
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Toxic Cargo; Crowded Inland Rails at Risk for Dangerous Chemical Spills
The investigation showed that Inland Southern California faces increasing risk of toxic spills from freight trains carrying chlorine, anhydrous ammonia and other deadly chemicals. The authors found a public unaware of the risk, local authorities unprepared and an industry with a questionable safety record.
Tags: chemical transportation; chemical spills; rail transportation; California; freight trains; public safety; FOIA
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The Deadliness Below: Decades of Dumping Chemical Arms Leave a Risky Legacy
The Army secretly dumped at least 64 million pounds of chemical weapons off the coastlines of 11 states and 16 other countries, didn't tell anyone about it, and 20 years ago stopped checking the few sites that were ever inspected. The weapons are incredibly dangerous, likely are leaking, and will pose a threat for generations. The Army doesn't know where all the dumpsites are located, and admits that more likely exist than have been discovered.
Tags: chemicals; military; Armed Forces; government conspiracy; environment; water pollution; public safety; public health; chemical weapons; offshore dumping
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Dangerous Sealant
Based on a tip from a viewer, KCNC investigated the toxicity of a bathroom tile sealant called Tile Perfect Stand 'N Seal. They found numerous complaints from across the country about the sealant making people ill. The safety labels on the cans did not match the sealant producer's internal documents about product safety. The producer, called Roanoke Companies, announced a recall of 300,000 cans of sealant on the day the story aired.
Tags: poison; hazardous materials; household chemicals; sealant; Tile Perfect; product recall
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EPA regulation of oil refineries
The paper's three-month investigation found clean-air enforcement actions at oil refineries were being scaled back and the country's worst air polluters were continuing to operate without repercussions. And though the Environmental Protection Agency made claims about efforts to make air cleaner, it let oil refineries miss court-ordered deadlines. Meanwhile, residents living nearby suffer the consequences.
Tags: oil; refinery; EPA; Environmental Protection Agency; pollution; air; petroleum; inspection; violation; Petroleum Refinery Initiative; pollutant; health; safety; chemical; environment
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Something is Killing our Police
Utah police in the 1980's and 1990's were trained to bust meth labs and handle chemicals without using any safety equipment. Now, the officers who were exposed to the hazardous materials are suffering severe illness and even dying much earlier than they should be.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; police; cop; law enforcement; meth; health; safety; cancer; narcotic; chemical