After flooding from Hurricane Harvey caused chemical fires at the Arkema Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas local officials tried to downplay the explosions, as well as the noxious nature of the plume of smoke coming from the facility - even after ten deputies were sent to the hospital after inhaling it. Just a few months prior, Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt nixed new safety regulations for chemical plants, thanks to the support of Texas lawmakers and Governor Greg Abbott.

In the wake of recent fertilizer plant explosions in Texas and Louisiana, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board has released its database of chemical incidents, which goes back as far as 2001. The data highlight which states have had the most accidents, as well as which companies have the most injuries and fatalities on their safety record.