PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the Right-to-Know Network, helping advocates push for improved access to government-held information on the environment, health, and safety.

News In Brief

EPA Seeks to Enhance Public Access to Chemical Data (OMB Watch)

The EPA has proposed several changes to its regulation of chemicals that should improve the public's access to crucial information. The improved data collected under the proposed rule will help the agency and the public identify potential chemical risks and take action to manage those risks.

(20 Aug 2010)

Tell EPA How to Protect Drinking Water (U.S. EPA)

The EPA is launching a web-based discussion forum to gather public input on how the agency can improve protection of drinking water. The information will be used in implementing EPA’s new drinking water strategy announced by Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in March. To join the discussion: http://blog.epa.gov/dwstrat. There will also be a listening session August 19, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

(17 Aug 2010)

Scientists Allege Federal Govt Tried to Muffle Plume Findings (ProPublica)

Behind-the-scenes reports from government scientists point to supression of scientific analyses of plumes of oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

(13 Aug 2010)

Obama Administration's Scientists Admit Alarm Over Chemicals (The Guardian (UK))

The Obama administration is facing concern from government scientists about the use of dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico. Leading scientists recently wrote a letter to BP and the Obama administration asking them to release all of the scientific data related to the spill. The National Wildlife Federation explained, "Just as the unprecedented use of dispersants has served to sweep millions of gallons of oil under the rug, we're concerned the public may not get to see critical scientific data."

(05 Aug 2010)

Oil Spill Calculations Stir Debate on Damage (The New York Times)

The Obama Administration's latest report on the Deepwater Horizon cleanup efforts, which was based on modeling, was not well received by scientists or Gulf Coast residents. In reference to the report's "very generous assumptions," one University of Georgia marine scientist asserted “If an academic scientist put something like this out there, it would get torpedoed into a billion pieces." The report concluded that 26 percent of the oil, or 53 million gallons, had come ashore or has not yet degraded in the water.

(05 Aug 2010)

EPA Develops Software to Secure Nation's Water Supply (EPA)

The EPA and DOE have developed free water quality software to enhance a water system's ability to detect contaminants, such as pesticides, metals, and pathogens, able to distinguish between natural variation in water quality and hazardous contamination. The EPA's Office of Research and Development stated "This cutting-edge technology helps to protect all Americans...and allows water utilities to quickly advise customers when their water is not safe to drink."

(05 Aug 2010)

Much of the Oil Spill Waste Ends Up in "Communities of Color" (al.com)

According to a study by Robert Bullard of the Environmental Justice Resource Center, 61 percent of the BP oil spill cleanup waste is sent to Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi landfills where nearby residents are mainly people of color, although African Americans make up just 22 percent of the resident population in those states. Bullard asserted, "BP's colorfully advertised waste management plan appears to follow a haunting pattern of environmental racism."

(04 Aug 2010)

BPA Linked to Decreased Sperm Quantity and Quality (Environment News Service)

Researchers have found a connection between urinary concentrations of Bisphenol A, or BPA, and decreased sperm quality and quantity. The results of the study show that the sperm concentrations of men with the highest concentrations of BPA were 23 percent lower on average with a 10 percent increase in sperm DNA damage. According to the study's lead author, "Much of the focus for BPA is on the exposures in utero or in early life...but this suggests exposure may also be a concern for adults."

(04 Aug 2010)

Despite Directive, BP Used Dispersant (The New York Times)

In a letter to retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) identified more than 74 exemption requests over 48 days, all but 10 of which were approved, in response to the Coast Guard and EPA's May 26 directive requiring that BP only apply dispersants to the ocean surface in "rare cases." Rep. Markey referred to the directive as “more of a meaningless paperwork exercise than an attempt to...eliminate surface applications of chemical dispersants.”

(03 Aug 2010)

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Action Alerts and Campaigns

Help Strengthen America's Toxic Chemicals Standards

Please take action to support legislation to protect our families from dangerous toxic chemicals.

(19 Nov 2009)

TAKE ACTION – Tell Congress to Force Disclosure of Toxic Drilling Chemicals

A controversial natural gas drilling technique is suspected of contaminating drinking water across the country, but more research cannot be done because the drilling companies won't disclose what toxic chemicals they are pumping into the ground. Congress is now considering legislation that would force drillers to disclose what chemicals they are using, but it needs our support against Big Oil and Gas.

(17 Sep 2009)

Bush Administration Pushes for Secrecy in Transportation

A multi-billion dollar transportation bill (H.R. 3550) currently before Congress would grant the government new authority to withhold transportation information that it considers to be "sensitive security information."
(02 Jul 2004)

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