PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Workplace Safety

EPA Seeks Employee Participation in Chemical Safety Inspections (EPA)

The EPA has released interim guidance that will allow employees and employee representatives to participate in chemical safety inspections, increasing transparency in the inspection process. The EPA is requiring state and local agencies to adopt a similar procedure under the Risk Management Program (RMP). Worker safety advocates have long sought enforcement of this feature of the Clean Air Act.

(08 Jul 2010)

Health of Exxon Valdez Clean-Up Workers Never Studied (McClatchy)

More than 20 years after the Exxon Valdez spill, scientistists are unaware of the long-term health effects that the thousands of workers in the Gulf may face. Also startling, BP is not taking note of the majority of workers' complaints of illness. An Anchorage lawyer asserted the need for a study of workers' health with recorded links between illness and oil exposure. "If you're the oil industry, you may or may not have this data. Lord knows, you're not going to want to publish it."

(30 Jun 2010)

BP Continues to Use Surface Dispersants Despite Directive (NY Times)

BP is still applying dispersant Corexit 9500 to the surface of the Gulf even after the EPA issued a directive ordering the company to desist. Scientists are concerned about the dispersant's impact on marine life and the health of workers who are exposed to the chemical daily. 

(25 Jun 2010)

Obama Administration Divided on Public Right-to-Know About Chemicals (Environment News Service)

While the EPA moves toward greater transparency regarding chemical information, OSHA seems to be moving backward, proposing to reduce the amount of chemical information available to workers.

(16 Mar 2010)

Groups Push For Safety Information for Workers (Center for Progressive Reform)

At a recent public hearing, OSHA heard testimony from the Center for Progressive Reform and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility opposing a proposed change that would limit the amount of information on chemical hazards available to workers.

(08 Mar 2010)

Lessons of Bhopal: 25 Years Later, U.S. Chemical Laws Need Strengthening (OMB Watch)

Dec. 3 marks the 25th anniversary of the most catastrophic industrial accident in history: the leak of poisonous gas from a pesticide plant in the Indian city of Bhopal. Twenty-five years after the tragedy, much progress has been made, but much remains to be done to provide a minimum level of protection against chemical releases.

(01 Dec 2009)

Toxic Chemicals Found in Doctors and Nurses (Physicians for Social Responsibility)

A new study found toxic chemicals associated with health care in the bodies of health care professionals, revealing that these professionals, particularly nurses, are at increased risk for chemical and pharmaceutical exposure - as are healthcare patients.

(19 Oct 2009)

Senator Seeks Greater Disclosure about Chemical Plants (Charleston Daily Mail [WV])

In response to oversecrecy during the investigation of a fatal chemical plant accident, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced legislation that would prevent inappropriate use of federal secrecy laws.

(17 Jun 2009)

Chemical Security 101

After analyzing the 101 most dangerous chemical facilities in the U.S., this Center for American Progress (CAP) report documents how safer and more secure chemicals and processes could reduce or eliminate the threat to millions of people from an accident or terrorist attack.

Read the report here.

Also check out CAP's interactive map. Is one of the 101 most dangerous facilities near you?

(27 Apr 2009)

Bayer Hides Info on Toxic Explosion (New York Times)

Bayer CropScience is hiding details of its Institute, WV explosion last August.

(27 Apr 2009)