1983 Climate & Environment Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1983 Climate & Environment Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 22 Feb EPA announces buyout of Times Beach residents due to dioxin contamination: On February 22, 1983, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a federal buyout of Times Beach, Missouri, after confirming that the town was heavily contaminated with dioxin, a toxic compound. The buyout, estimated at $33 million, aimed to relocate all residents and businesses to ensure public safety. source: epa.gov
- 17 May U.S. Department of Energy discloses mercury contamination at Oak Ridge Y-12 plant: On May 17, 1983, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) revealed that approximately 2.4 million pounds of mercury had been released into the environment from the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, between 1950 and 1963. This disclosure followed a declassified report highlighting significant mercury contamination in local waterways, including East Fork Poplar Creek, leading to public health concerns and environmental scrutiny. source: washingtonpost.com
What happened in 1983?
Discover what the world looked like in 1983: