Community Right-to-Know eUpdate, January / February 2006

Table of Contents:
1. 70,000 People Oppose Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Changes
2. Chicago Tribune Uses TRI Data for Story on Mercury Pollution
3. Biomonitoring Study Shows 1 in 5 Women Have Elevated Mercury Levels
4. Chemical Safety Board Proposes Better Evidence Preservation at
Chemical Accidents
5. Help Preserve Air Quality Victory for Louisville KY Residents


1. 70,000 People Oppose Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Changes

More than 70,000 people, according to preliminary estimates, have sent
in comments opposing the EPA proposals that would relax chemical
reporting requirements for large industrial facilities. The public
comment period ended on Jan. 13, but comments are still pouring in,
according to EPA sources. EPA expects to issue a final rule sometime
in Dec., giving senior staff at EPA, other agencies, and members of
Congress, the opportunity to compel EPA to abandon the proposals.

Please link to our one-page fact sheet of editorials quotes opposing
EPA's proposals and read key comments in opposition from Congress,
state agencies, cities, public interest groups and others.


2. Chicago Tribune Uses TRI Data for Story on Mercury Pollution

Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne recently used TRI data in
the Feb. 9th story, "Chicago EPA chief turns coal lobbyist."
Hawthorne writes, "The utility's coal plants released 1,023 pounds of
mercury into the air during 2003, the latest year for which figures
are available from the U.S. EPA's Toxics Release Inventory." The
article unfortunately makes no mention of EPA's plans to eliminate
every-other year of TRI reporting, and EPA's proposals to raise
reporting thresholds. Citizens and state regulators would lose access
to pollution data from more than 200 Illinois facilities, concealing
more than 200,000 pounds of toxic releases, if EPA moves forward with
its plans.

For a state that ranks fifth in the nation in mercury emissions and
that has issued mercury-tainted fish consumption warnings, more
disclosure on mercury, not less, will help spur mercury reductions.
Fortunately, Illinois Governor Blagojevich is proposing to decrease
mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2009 (a bit more ambitious than
President Bush's plan, which calls for a 70 percent reduction by
2018). Read more information about Gov. Blagojevich's proposal and
click here for the Chicago Tribune news story.


3. Biomonitoring Study Shows 1 in 5 Women Have Elevated Mercury Levels

On Feb. 8, the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) at the University
of North Carolina-Asheville released the largest ever biomonitoring
study on mercury levels in the US population. By analyzing hair
samples from more than 6,600 women, researchers found that one in five
women of childbearing age exceed the EPA's recommended mercury limit.

Sierra Club and Greenpeace sponsored the mercury-testing events, and
individuals also ordered testing kits online. "We found the greatest
single factor influencing mercury exposure was the frequency of fish
consumption," says Dr. Steve Patch, co-director of the EQI. Coal
power plants produce 42 percent of industrial mercury pollution in the
U.S. The airborne mercury emissions fall into lakes, streams, and
oceans, and contaminate fish and shellfish. For more information,
please click here.


4. Chemical Safety Board Proposes Better Evidence Preservation at
Chemical Accidents

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) recently
proposed a rule (40 CFR Part 1604) to require plant owners and
operators to preserve evidence after major spills or explosions. CSB
investigators occasionally find evidence altered or handled in a way
that hampers a thorough investigation. CSB (online at www.csb.gov) is
an independent federal agency that investigates the root causes of
industrial accidents, and makes safety recommendations.

Under the proposed rule, CSB would send an "evidence preservation
notice" to an accident site, which the owner/operator would post in a
conspicuous place. The proposal would also require the owner/operator
to notify the CSB as soon as possible when it becomes necessary to
disturb an accident scene. Notification is intended to allow the
agency to comment, have the scene observed by a third party if
necessary and take other appropriate actions.

CSB should have the opportunity to gather as much evidence as possible
in order to make the most appropriate plant safety recommendations.
CSB recently extended the comment period for the rule to March 6,
following extension requests from the American Petroleum Institute,
the Fertilizer Institute, and the Synthetic Organic Chemical
Manufacturers. To weigh in, please send comments to the address
below, and Click here for more information.

Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
Office of General Counsel, Attn: Christopher Warner
2175 K Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20037


5. Help Preserve Air Quality Victory for Louisville KY Residents

Last summer, Louisville city officials approved a new program
requiring industrial facilities to reduce hazardous emissions.
Louisville resident and Rubbertown Emergency Action (REACT) member Tim
Duncan explains, "The combination of the TRI numbers and local air
monitor data provided a powerful combination of numbers for us to show
that Hazardous Air Pollution levels were serious in our area."

But now Louisville's very ability to control local air quality is at
risk. On Feb. 9, a Kentucky Senate Committee heard Senate Bill 39,
which would prevent Louisville, or any other county or city in the
state, from creating air toxics regulations more stringent than the
state or federal regulations. REACT member Eboni Cochrane explains,
"The problem is there are only minimum standards at the federal level
and they don't protect us from chemicals coming from the facilities
located in Rubbertown."

Louisville residents ask that anyone interested call the legislative
hotline, and ask that all legislators vote NO on Senate Bill 39 or any
bill that would limit local control of air toxics. The Senate
Committee is expected to make a decision by Feb. 16th. The
legislative hotline is 1-800-372-7181. For the deaf or hearing
impaired, please call (TTY Message Line) 1-800-896-0305. For
additional information, please contact REACT at (502) 551-4734, or
click here.


© 2006 Working Group on Community Right to Know (A Project of OMB
Watch). All rights reserved.
1742 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington DC 20009, (202) 234-8494
Please feel free to copy and disseminate this newsletter with proper
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