Storyline
Chemical and air pollution health risks
Multiple studies and discoveries are documenting harmful chemical exposures in air, water, and consumer products, with research linking these contaminants to serious health effects and environmental damage. Authorities are updating standards and monitoring efforts as evidence emerges about the widespread presence and dangers of pollutants ranging from industrial emissions to pet treatment chemicals.
This is a long-running storyline that has developed over 23 days. The homepage highlights its most recent activity, so the outlet count there reflects the latest wave. The totals above cover the full run.
California health officialsAir pollutionForever chemicalsPet flea treatmentsKidney disease
2026-06-01
2026-05-31
2026-05-28
- What’s next for neighbors living near Garden Grove factory at center of chemical scare?
- Are hazardous chemical sites near your home? Here's how to find out.
- EPA moves to keep toxic Orange County chemical leak threat low for residents
- Is there a facility like the Garden Grove chemical tank near you? How to find out
- O.C. chemical crisis prompts safety-record review, Newsom says
- O.C. chemical crisis prompts safety-record review, Newsom says
- We can never let another chemical explosion threaten residents again
2026-05-27
- Garden Grove crisis exposes Southern California's hidden industrial risks
- Latest details on deadly chemical tank implosion in Washington state
- Garden Grove chemical scare sparks outrage over aerospace plant safety
- Chemical Tank Implodes in Washington State, Killing at Least 1
- Washington paper mill chemical tank implodes, killing at least 1 and leaving 9 missing
- Industry knew about chemical 'runaway' dangers for years. Then came near-catastrophe in O.C.
- Industry was warned for years about chemical 'runaway' dangers. Then came near-catastrophe in O.C.
2026-05-26
2026-05-25
- Orange County residents await update on evacuation zones
- What we know about the chemical tank incident in Southern California — and what questions still linger
- President Trump declares Orange County chemical leak a federal emergency
- Where Orange County evacuees can find assistance amid Garden Grove chemical leak incident
- Residents near California chemical tank forced to flee: "You're freaking out"
- Chemical leak in California's Orange County forces 50,000 people to evacuate
- Chemical tank crack eases explosion fears as 50,000 residents flee California
- Chemical tank crack eases explosion fears as 50,000 residents flee California
- Crack Found on Chemical Tank Could Lower Explosion Risk
- Southern California officials trying to prevent explosion or leak from damaged chemical tank
- The next few hours critical in battle to prevent O.C. chemical explosion
- Failing Orange County chemical tank rises to 100 degrees — the maximum temperature on the gauge
- Crack in California chemical tank a positive sign, but explosion fears remain
2026-05-24
- California declares state of emergency after toxic leak threatens thousands of residents
- California crews race to avoid toxic chemical tank explosion
- Live updates: Garden Grove chemical leak crisis continues as explosion fears loom
- California chemical tank has cracked causing state of emergency, thousands to evacuate
- Timeline: Orange County chemical tank crisis
- Possible fissure in California chemical tank may help prevent explosion, official says
- Toxic chemical tank on the brink of exploding has a CRACK in it emergency response crews find as schools closed and 50,000 residents evacuated from danger zone
- Officials say possible crack in unstable chemical tank may relieve pressure at aerospace plant
- Overheated chemical tank in southern California ‘will fail’, EPA chief says
- Overheated chemical tank in southern California ‘will fail’, EPA chief says
- Efforts to stop California chemical leak in Orange County on new trajectory, officials say
- Evacuated Garden Grove resident speaks on potentially explosive chemical incident: 'A lot of uncertainty'
- Orange County officials reveal ‘critical’ update on Garden Grove chemical tank threatening to explode
- Firefighters Still Working to Cool Garden Grove Chemical Tank