Abstract
This chapter provides a detailed analysis of 15 hazardous waste mismanagement incidents and accidents that have taken place worldwide over the last six decades. The case studies are presented in a chronological order. The companies involved, contaminant properties, geographical significance of the affected areas, causes of contamination and aftermath of each incident are identified in a consistent format. It was observed that all 15 accidents have been attributed to human error and negligence, improper disposal practices, faults in safety equipment, runaway reactions, failure to follow proper safety procedures and unpredictable chemical nature of contaminants. The aftermath of each accident emphasizes the tragic consequences of hazardous waste contamination affecting the biotic species’ lives, properties, the environment and the vegetation. The remediation steps taken by local and/or international authorities, along with the accountable companies and liabilities involved for each accident, are also summarized within this chapter.
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Shareefdeen, Z., Bhojwani, J. (2022). Hazardous Waste Accidents: From the Past to the Present. In: Shareefdeen, Z. (eds) Hazardous Waste Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95262-4_2
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