By Richard T. Cartwright, PE, CHMM, (IHMM, AHMP and APICS) Fellow.
Richard died April 21, 2025; honoring the work he did with hazmat history is one small way to keep his memory alive.
The saying, “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” is more than a cliché. It is a reminder that we must constantly be learning from the past. Here’s a look back at major historical events that happened today in the world of hazardous materials.
March 13, 2011
The International Atomic Energy Agency declared a state of emergency at a second earthquake-ravaged Fukoshima Daiichi nuclear reactor after measuring higher-than-permitted levels of radiation. As a last resort, copious amounts of sea water were applied in an attempt to prevent additional reactor meltdowns. More than 46,000 structures had been damaged during the 9.0 magnitude earthquake.
March 13, 1991
The US Justice Department announced Exxon Valdez cleanup payments of $1 billion. Lawsuits and appeals over punitive damages for the 1988 oil spill continued for 20 years, when the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the trial court’s award from $5 billion to $500 million.
March 13, 1834
Frederick Walton, English inventor, was born. He is best known for inventing linoleum. His patents included artificial leather, distillation, plastics & flexible metal tubing. Walton developed linoleum after observing the plastic dried surface layer of linseed oil-based paint, which he investigated as an alternative to rubber.
March 13, 1733
Joseph Priestley, English clergyman and physical scientist, was born. He is best known for discovering the element oxygen. Priestley was first to recognize that green plants in light released oxygen. He investigated “fixed air” (carbon dioxide) found in layer above liquid in beer brewery fermentation vats. Priestley also discovered sulfur dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and silicon fluoride.
Historical hazardous materials management events are posted 365 days a year at this LinkedIn discussion group.
