I know I've already sent this out, but it's very important, and I now have an
email address to submit comments to, so it's even easier.

The EPA is considering expanding Right to Know reporting requirements for
highly toxic chemicals like mercury and dioxin.  However, their current
proposal falls short. For example, EPA's proposal currently fails to include
stricter reporting requirements for lead--a substance well known for being
extremely dangerous and highly persistent.  In addition, EPA is considering
setting reporting thresholds at levels that would still allow a significant
amount of mercury pollution to go unreported.

As little as 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury is enough to contaminate an
entire lake. In order to protect public health and the environment, EPA must
set a zero threshold for reporting of persistent or bioaccumulative toxins.

EPA has opened a public comment period on this issue.  Please send a comment
to the EPA and forward this on to others.  You can send comments by mail, or
you can email them to [log in to unmask]  The following is a sample
letter.  Please CC: these comments to me at [log in to unmask] and feel free to
copy them to your Congressperson as well. Be sure to include the docket number
at the top.  Call me at 515-274-9984 or email me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Amber Hard
U.S.PIRG Plains States Organizer
3520 Beaver Ave. Suite G
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-274-9984
[log in to unmask]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 SAMPLE LETTER/EMAIL TO EPA ADMINISTRATOR BROWNER

The Honorable Carol Browner                                 Docket
#OPPTS-400132
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M St., SW
Washington, DC 20460


Dear Administrator Browner:

I am writing to express our/my concern about a serious gap in the federal
Right to Know program.  Currently the public is left in the dark about the use
and release of some of the most dangerous substances known to science.
Substances like dioxin, mercury and lead have been linked to cancer, birth
defects, hormone disruption, and other serious health problems.  Many of these
substances are extremely hazardous in small quantities and escape public
reporting because existing thresholds are set too high.

We have a right to know about the release of any quantity of these substances
in our communities.  I urge the EPA to require industries to report all uses
and releases of substances that are highly toxic, persist in the environment
for long periods of time, or accumulate in the tissue of humans and wildlife.
The EPA should set a reporting threshold of zero for these dangerous
substances.

Please stand strong against pressure from the polluting industries and expand
the Right to Know program to cover persistent or bioaccumulative toxins.  We
have the right to know about and to protect ourselves and future generations
from these dangerous chemicals.

 Sincerely,



 cc:   U.S.PIRG, Your Congressperson

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