Fellow Iowa Sierrans-
My name's Amber Hard, and I'm the Iowa Field Organizer for the U.S. Public
Interest Research Group. I just moved to Iowa this fall, so unfortunately I
haven't had a chance to meet many of you yet, but I hope to in the near
future.
For my first post to the Iowa Sierra Club email network I am writing to ask
you to join U.S. PIRG and groups and individuals across Iowa and the nation in
calling on the U.S. EPA to expand the public's right to know about toxic
chemicals in our communities and our environment.
The EPA is considering changes to the federal Right to Know reporting
program and we have a great opportunity to close a gaping loophole in the law.
Exposure to compounds like mercury, even in minute quantities, can result
in neurological damage, reproductive problems, and behavioral and learning
disorders in children. Unfortunately, thirty-nine states currently have
mercury advisories warning children and women of child-bearing age not to
eat local fish. In 10 states, these advisories cover every lake and river
within the state's borders. Despite this widespread contamination, loopholes
in the federal Right to Know program keep the public in the dark about how and
where mercury is being released into the environment.
Mercury contamination is not our only problem. Currently we do not have
the information we need to protect ourselves and our communities from the
most dangerous substances known to science. Releases of substances like
mercury, dioxin, and lead - toxics linked to cancer, birth defects,
reproductive disorders, and other serious health problems -- are often not
reported to the EPA or the public. These chemicals do not go away-they
persist in the environment for long periods of time and accumulate in human
and animal tissues. Although extremely hazardous in small quantities, these
substances escape public disclosure because current reporting thresholds are
set too high.
Public information is one of our most powerful tools for protecting ourselves
from exposure to these dangerous toxic chemicals. A strong Right to Know
program would empower citizens with valuable information, and by shining the
public spotlight on companies' use of toxic chemicals, encourage them to
reduce pollution.
The EPA is considering expanding Right to Know reporting requirements for
"persistent bioaccumulative toxins" like mercury and dioxin. However, their
current proposal falls short of what the Clinton Administration has promised.
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 amountof mercury
pollution to go unreported.
As little as 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury is enough to contaminate an
entire lake. Industries should be required to report their releases of any
quantity of mercury and other highly toxic substances. 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. We know that the
chemical industry, the electric utilities, and other polluters are working
hard to weaken or even block this Right to Know expansion. That is why groups
like ours must send a clear message to the EPA to stand strong against
industry pressure and strengthen their proposal.
Please join us in submitting comments to the EPA and ask other interested
folks to do the same. Following this is a sample letter to EPA Administrator
Browner, and an endorsement form. At the top of your letter, please include
the docket number OPPTS-400B2, so the EPA knows where to direct your comments.
Feel free to distribute these materials to others. If you are interested I'd
love to provide a brief article for your organization's newsletter and/or a
speaker for your next meeting. If possible, please send me a copy of any
comments you generate, so I can keep track how many are going out to the EPA,
and feel free to copy them to your Congressperson as well. Call me at
515-274-9984 or email me at [log in to unmask] if you have any questions or would
like more information about the campaign.
Sincerely,
Amber Hard
Iowa Field Organizer, U.S. PIRG
3520 Beaver Ave. Suite G
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-274-9984 p/f
[log in to unmask]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
SAMPLE LETTER TO EPA ADMINISTRATOR BROWNER
The Honorable Carol Browner
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send email to [log in to unmask]
Make the message text (not the Subject): SIGNOFF IOWA-TOPICS
|
