Texas Suffering From Toxic Chemicals
According to a new report released by TexPIRG in March, Texas was one of three states that accounted for 40 percent of developmental toxic pollution and 70 percent of reproductive toxic pollution for the year 2004.
The report uses information from the federal Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to analyze toxic pollution linked to serious health problems. The TRI is a public right-to-know program that requires industrial facilities to publicly disclose their toxic releases.
Recently, EPA weakened the program by authorizing industrial facilities to withhold previously reported pollution information.
“This report confirms that communities across Texas are routinely put at risk by toxic pollution,” said Ed Mierzwinski, TexPIRG consumer program director. “Unfortunately, EPA’s action means that many communities will be left in the dark about this risk.”
In 2004, EPA reported that the TRI has helped to reduce toxic pollution by 57 percent nationwide since 1988. TexPIRG is working to ensure communities have full and complete access to toxic pollution information, which will hopefully lead to continued reductions in toxic pollution. TexPIRG is also actively supporting federal legislative initiatives aimed at replacing the most dangerous chemicals and toxics in the country with safer alternatives where possible. |
