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Pollution Profile: Viruses & Bacteria
November 6th, 2025
Defining a PollutantViruses and bacteria would not typically be considered pollutants for which someone could be held legally responsible. However, there are some exceptions, and some carriers have recognized the potential exposure and provided broader definitions to address the potential exposures to businesses. Potential Exposures ContractorsLegionella is a bacterium that causes a form of potentially fatal pneumonia. Legionella can thrive in water-containing systems like large air conditioning systems and industrial water cooling systems. Contractors working on hospitals, nursing homes, apartment buildings and hotels have been sued because of bacteria exposure allegedly associated with their work. At particular risk for lawsuits are trade contractors whose work involves water, heating and cooling systems or any water-containing source that...
Coal Train Derailment Exposes Hidden Risks in Transport
October 28th, 2025
On a quiet Saturday afternoon in late October, a CSX freight train hauling a long string of coal cars rumbled through the rural wetlands of New Kent County, Virginia. Without warning, a portion of the train left the rails. Two locomotives and 53 cars carrying coal toppled over, tearing up track and spilling their black payload into nearby marshland....
Destination Dangers: Addressing Pollution Exposures in the Hospitality Industry
October 27th, 2025
Guests staying at prominent hotels across the country contracted something they likely never suspected they would get during their stay, Legionnaires Disease. Guests were sickened, and some even died, due to exposure to the Legionella bacteria lurking...
Highway 99 Pool‑Chemical Spill
November 4th, 2025
Crash triggers hazmat response and hours‑long cleanupOn Oct. 29, 2025, commuters on California’s Highway 99 near the Hatch Road interchange experienced hours‑long traffic jams after an early‑morning crash sent caustic pool chemicals streaming across the freeway. According to local reports, a pickup truck hauling containers of muriatic acid and chlorine—common...
Mind the Gap: Addressing Coverage Gaps Left by Pollution Exclusions
October 21st, 2025
Pollution exposures may vary from one type of business or industry to another, but one thing they all have in common is that they won’t be properly covered under an insured’s standard...
Acid Spill at Meat Packing Plant Highlights Hidden Industrial Hazards
October 29th, 2025
In the predawn hours of a crisp October morning, employees at a meat‑packing plant in Bellevue, Wisconsin were going about routine cleaning operations when an accident set off alarms. As a forklift moved a large plastic tote of cleaning acid—used to sterilize...