IMPORTANT APPEAL to NIEHS--repost

[ttweed@wildrockies.org (Tony Tweedale)]

  IMPORTANT APPEAL to NIEHS -- please, PLEASE FORWARD TO INTERESTED PARTIES
  
                                                  * * * * * *
  
  I / WE URGE NIEHS TO RECONSIDER BOTH ITS MISSION STATEMENT AND ITS
  MISDIRECTED PRICE INCREASES &  ACCESS RESTRICTIONS FOR ITS VALUABLE
  PUBLICATIONS.  WE URGE NIEHS TO ADOPT A MEANS TESTING PRICE STRUCTURE,
  ALLOWING ACCESS BY LOW INCOME GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS, WHILE RECOUPING COSTS
  FROM INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN  AFFORD IT.
  
  
          [YOUR &/OR YOUR GROUPS NAME HERE]
  
  
  Please send this, or your own appeal, directly to the following two people
  at the Ntl. Institute of Env. Health Sciences:
  
  Dr. George W. Lucier & Dr. Gary Hooks, co editors-in-chief, _EHP_ and
  _Supplements_
                                  E-mail
                                  Phone                 (919) 541-3802
                                  Division / Branch                     DIR
  /unknown
                                  Campus / Bldg / Room                  SC
  /101 / A330
                                  Mail Drop                     A3-02
                                  Voice Mail ?                  unknown
                                  Address               Dr. George W. Lucier
  & Dr. Gary Hooks
                                                NIEHS
                                                MD A3-02
                                                P.O. BOX 12233
                                                RTP, NC 27709
  
  William Grigg --  Dir. of Communications, _EHP_
                   E-mail                 GRIGG@niehs.nih.gov
                           Phone                  (919) 541-2605
                           Division / Branch      OD / unknown
                           Campus / Bldg / Room   SC / 101 / B238
                           Mail Drop              B2-05
                           Voice Mail ?           unknown
                           Address                William M. Grigg
                                          NIEHS
                                          P. O. BOX 12233 (MD B2-05)
                                          RTP, NC 27615
  
  
                                                  * * * * * *
  
  NIEHS has severely restricted access for low income non-profits and
  individuals to its publications, by severely raising prices or charging
  anew.  Involved are its peer-reviewed toxicology/env. health science
  monthly journal, _Env. Health Perspectives_; EHP's _Supplements_, which
  publishes complete proceedings of NIEHS toxicology conferences; and
  important National Toxicology Program publications (carcinogenicity
  research).
  
  Those who have not read NIEHS publications will not realize the tragedy of
  this action.  _EHP_ and _Supplements_ publish top and world rank
  toxicological research.  Similar publications from private sector
  publishers, cost c. $500 - $2,500 a year.  NIEHS's increases, while still
  far below private sector prices, will UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSE HUNDREDS OF
  ACTIVISTS AND NON-PROFITS TO LOSE ACCESS TO NIEHS RESEARCH. Whether NIEHS
  realizes it or not, these people make some of the best use of NIEHS
  research.
  
  The price of a paper copy of _EHP_ has risen from $46 to $100/year; and on
  the web, from FREE to $157/yr. _Supplements_  was available free
  (paper--back issues only while supplies lasted), now they are $20 each.
  Other publications have been similarly priced (except students, who will
  get a very low rate).
  
  While the new prices for paper copies are probably still affordable to many
  in the activist/non-profit sector, the new prices for previously free web
  access  are definitely out of reach ($157 - $5,479). NIEHS must come up
  with a similar web price structure as it has for students and government
  users.  A reasonable mechanism is available--the IRS non-profit categories
  of corporations, e.g. 501(c)3, etc..  If a group can prove to IRS they
  deserve a break due to their educational or other worthwhile function to
  society, that should be sufficient proof of legitimacy to NIEHS!  As to
  individuals, perhaps copies of income tax returns would serve as the
  required proof of need.
  
  While NIEHS has not stated any reasons for this drastic restriction in
  access, a reasonable guess includes government restructuring and budget
  cuts.  However many scientific journals save serious costs, such as paper
  but especially *postage*, by printing on non-coated paper (non-glossy),
  *except for those pictures and graphs that require high resolution*.
  Passing costs onto low income people with the same goals as NIEHS is not
  acceptable.
  
  
  tony tweedale
  ttweed@wildrockies.org