California
What’s in our water, and who makes sure it’s safe to drink?
April 21, 1996
Acid and poisonous chemicals that spilled and cooked together in a fire Saturday at a Sun Valley company began generating “puffs of a white-colored gas” in the ruined building Monday, prompting Los Angeles city and county officials to evacuate dozens of people from a largely industrial two-block area.
April 16, 1985
A federal judge has ordered the former owner of a Sun Valley chemical plant that was destroyed in a 1985 explosion and fire to pay the Environmental Protection Agency $222,275 in cleanup and other costs.
Oct. 3, 1990
County officials began making plans Sunday to clear a Sun Valley chemical distributing company of dangerous chemicals left after a Saturday afternoon blaze destroyed the firm and injured 56 people, including 52 firefighters.
April 15, 1985
An investigation of possible toxic-waste dumping in city sewers produced firm evidence that a Sun Valley chemical company violated hazardous-material laws, sanitation officials said Wednesday, although the company contends it is the victim of a “witch hunt” by city officials.
April 9, 1987
Technology and the Internet
Robots are touted as better than humans at certain repetitive tasks, such as picking up objects and placing them elsewhere with extremely high degrees of accuracy.
July 27, 1994
Science & Medicine
With all the medical magic bullets being researched by San Diego companies, the area’s growing biotechnology industry has a right to be blase about newcomers.
Feb. 12, 1991
When the South Coast Air Quality Management District tookaim at back-yard barbecue pollution last year by introducing a low emission standard, critics labeled it an affront to an American tradition.
Oct. 16, 1992
The Environmental Protection Agency has filed a lawsuit to recover cleanup costs following a Sun Valley chemical plant fire three years ago that sent more than 50 people to hospitals for treatment.
May 3, 1988
A Los Angeles City Fire Department evaluation of a spectacular Sun Valley chemical company fire has concluded that too many risks were taken in fighting the blaze, prompting the department to modify its procedures for handling hazardous material emergencies, fire officials said.
June 17, 1985