To determine whether human error or a natural cause played the determining factor in each of the events listed, we can analyze the specifics of each case.
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Cuyahoga River Fire, OH:
- Determining Factor: Human Error
- Explanation: The fire was caused by industrial pollution and negligence regarding waste disposal in the river, which had been heavily polluted by oil and other contaminants.
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Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, AK:
- Determining Factor: Human Error
- Explanation: The spill occurred due to navigation errors and the captain's intoxication, leading to the ship running aground and spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into the sea.
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Church Rock Mine Disaster, NM:
- Determining Factor: Human Error
- Explanation: The disaster was a result of human factors including inadequate safety measures and poor management practices leading to a radioactive tailings dam failure.
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Flint Water Crisis, MI:
- Determining Factor: Human Error
- Explanation: The crisis was primarily caused by poor decision-making at the governmental and municipal levels, leading to the use of contaminated water without proper treatment.
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Lake Nyos, Cameroon:
- Determining Factor: Natural Event
- Explanation: The disaster was triggered by a natural geological event where a volcanic CO2 gas buildup suddenly released, causing a lethal cloud that suffocated people and animals in the area.
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Ammonium Nitrate Explosion, Lebanon:
- Determining Factor: Human Error
- Explanation: The explosion resulted from negligence in storing large amounts of ammonium nitrate without proper safety measures, which had been known to be a risk.
In summary:
- Cuyahoga River fire: Human Error
- Exxon Valdez oil spill: Human Error
- Church Rock Mine Disaster: Human Error
- Flint Water Crisis: Human Error
- Lake Nyos: Natural Event
- Ammonium Nitrate Explosion: Human Error