SIGN TOXICS LETTER TO CLINTON

[Jeremiah Baumann <jbaumann@pirg.org>]

To all those concerned about the dangers of dioxin:

Expanding the public's right to know about toxic chemical emissions is one
of the first steps we must take in order to prevent the threats to human
health, human reproduction and the threats to future generations posed by
toxic chemicals like dioxin.  While communities and ecosystems across the
country are contaminated with chemicals, loopholes in the right-to-know
program allow industries to emit dioxins without even reporting it.
Requiring companies to publicly report on releases of dioxin and other
toxic substances that persist in the environment and accumulate in the
tissues of animals and humans not only gives the public and the groups
working to defend our health and the health of our children a valuable
tool, but also gives industry a powerful incentive to reduce and
discontinue their toxic chemical use and prevent pollution.

Please take a few moments to read the attached action alert, and sign on to
the letter going to President Clinton, calling on him to expand the
public's right to know about toxic chemicals.  You can add your group's
name to the letter by contacting Jeremiah Baumann at U.S. PIRG
(202-546-9707, jbaumann@pirg.org).




ACTION ALERT!
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PLEASE SIGN LETTER TO CLINTON!
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JOIN 1,000 GROUPS PROTECTING THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT TOXIC CHEMICALS!
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Please join the list of 1,000 groups -- environmental groups, labor groups,
emergency response workers, and other citizen groups -- calling on
President Clinton to follow through on his promises to expand the public’s
right to know about toxic chemicals.

Loopholes in reporting laws mean that we can’t find out about environmental
releases of dangerous substances like lead, dioxin, and mercury -- these
are substances that are not only toxic to human health, but that persist in
the environment for months, years, or decades, and accumulate in the tissue
of wildlife and humans.  Over 39 states are now issuing mercury advisories
for contaminated bodies of water, and in 13 of those states, advisories
cover every lake and river in the state.  Mercury and substances like
dioxins can cause neurological problems and by disrupting developing
hormone systems, cause reproductive system and brain damage.  Right now,
industries can dump these toxic chemicals into our environment legally and
don't even have to report it!

The EPA is expected to propose a rule next month requiring increased
reporting on these dangerous substances, so help us send a message to the
Administration right now:  protect the public from toxic threats to our
health and the health of our ecosystem!

TO SIGN THE LETTER, PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE TO JEREMIAH BAUMANN AT
jbaumann@pirg.org WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1) your name
2) the name of your group/affiliation
3) your address
4) your phone number and email


You can also receive a copy of the letter by contacting Jeremiah Baumann.
It has been written by the State PIRGs and adresses the threat of
persistent and bioaccumulating substances, as well as the need for chemical
use reporting on the dangers of toxics to workers, communities, and consumers.

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Jeremiah D. Baumann				
U.S. Public Interest Research Group
218 D St. SE		jbaumann@pirg.org
Washington, DC 20003	202-546-9707
Fax 202-546-2461	www.pirg.org