Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
1962
A drug prescribed as a tranquilizer for pregnant women caused
severe birth defects.
1962
A topic indicted DDT and other pesticides for the poisoning
of wildlife. DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, but it
remains in use in developing countries.
1965
Nonbiodegradable detergents were banned when they were
found as contaminants in some rivers.
1965
In Japan, 46 people died from eating mercury-contaminated
fish from a body of water polluted by a plastics company.
1966
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a carcinogen in animals,
were found in the environment. The use of PCBs was
banned in 1978.
1969
A new artificial sweetener (cyclamate) was banned because it
caused cancer in animals when fed in large amounts. Not
banned in other countries.
1970
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) set safety
standards for workplaces.
1974
An explosion at a nylon-intermediates plant in England killed
28 people.
1974
Three men working at a poly(vinyl chloride) plant were found
to have a rare form of cancer.
1975
Almost half of the workers at a pesticide plant in Virginia were
found to be suffering from poisoning. The nearby James
River containing oyster beds was found to be contaminated
with the same chemical.
1976
A chemical plant in Italy exploded and spread a known animal
carcinogen (dioxin) over a large area. No deaths or birth
defects were ever shown to be due to this release.
1976
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was adopted.
1976
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was
passed.
1977
Polyacrylonitrile plastic beverage bottles were banned because
of possible migration of acrylonitrile (a weak carcinagen)
into the bottle contents.
1977
Some employees making a soil fumigant (DBCP) became
sterile. It is now banned.
1977
Benzene was linked to high rates of leukemia.
