With the increasing numbers of new chemicals
entering the global market each year—between
200 and 1000 new chemicals with production
capacities in excess of one tonne per
annum
1
—concern is growing about potential
population health eVects, particularly from
accidental releases of chemicals such as occurred at Lowermoor,
2
Bhopal
3
and Seveso.
4
Public concern itself may result in perceived
health eVects, as in the Worcester water
incident,
5
but a recent study of the grounding
of the Sea Empress oil tanker on the Pembro