community innovation in hazardous materials strongmanagementstrong.pdf

Journal of Hazardous Materials 88 (2001) 169–194 Community innovation in hazardous materials management: progress in implementing SARA Title III in the United States Michael K. Lindell a , Ronald W. Perryb,∗ a Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas AM University, College Station, TX 77843-3137, USA b School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-0603, USA Abstract Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III) established a new federal approach to managing toxic chemical hazards. This legislation required industry to disclose the type and quantity of such chemicals and also required the establishment of state and local government organizations to receive those data, evaluate community vulnerability, develop local emergency response plans, and communicate with the public. This paper reviews the law’s historical context and empirical studies of its implementation. The available evidence suggests that significant progress has been made in reducing chemical hazards but there is considerable variation across jurisdictions in the effectiveness of the law’s implementation. The research results reviewed here suggest a variety of ways in which SARA Title III implementation can be improved. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: SARA Title III; LEPC; SERC; Toxic chemicals; Emergency planning 1. Introduction Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III), also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, represents a major innovation in communities’ management of toxic chemical hazards. This regulation has two principal provisions for reducing the threat of catastrophic chemical accidents. First, it mandates industry disclosure of data on the types and quantities of extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) pr