“The story of Kepone was well known 40 years ago. Even 20 years ago, but with each passing decade it bears retelling lest we fail to heed the warning of history and somehow fail to provide for vigilance when it comes to protecting public health and the environment.”
—Joseph Maroon, Executive Director, Virginia Environmental Endowment
The Kepone disaster should never fade into history. Its story needs to be illuminated so we never forget how greed, lies, and lack of oversight can poison people and the environment.
Chemical Capital of the South
The Kepone disaster happened in Hopewell, Virginia, a city at the confluence of the Appomattox and James Rivers about 20 miles southeast of Richmond. In 1975, it was known as “the Chemical Capital of the South.”…