Unit 5.2 Assignment- Hazardous Waste
Gina Perugini
Post University
Environmental Law & Practice
Leonard McDermott
2/14/21
The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) was passed in
1986 in response to concerns regarding the environment and safety hazards by the storage and
handling of toxic chemicals. In 1984 a disaster occurred in India which was found to be caused
by an accidental release of methylisocyanate. Once this was released, several people were
injured and more then 2,000 people were killed. (What Is EPCRA?, 2021)
After this occurred in India, the United States came up with ways in order to avoid such
disaster if it were to ever occur. Congress imposed requirements for federal, state, and local
governments. These requirements covered the emergency planning and “Community Right– to–
Know”. This kept reports on hazardous waste and toxic chemicals. The Community Right to
Know provisions helped to increase the public knowledge and access to information on
