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Toxic Chemicals Release Report Shows Mercury, PCB
Pollution Rise Dramatically
Releases of mercury, PCBs, lead and dioxin into the environment
increased significantly between 2006 and 2007, according to the annual
"Toxics Release Inventory," published by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). |
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"This information
underscores the need for fundamental transparency and provides a
powerful tool for protecting public health and the environment," said
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. "Serving the public's right to know is
the crucial first step in reducing toxic chemicals in the places where
we live, work and raise children."
The "Toxics Release Inventory" classifies all releases together,
including legal and illegal dumping, disposal in mine reclamation ponds
(which leach into groundwater) and disposal in toxic dump sites.
Between 2006 and 2007, PCB releases increased by 40 percent, due to
disposal of supplies manufactured before the substances were banned in
1979. Mercury releases, mostly due to mining, increased by 38 percent.
Dioxin releases increased by 11 percent, and lead releases increased by
1 percent. Overall releases of all persistent, bioaccumalitive and toxic
chemicals or metals increased by 1 percent.
PCBs and dioxins are highly toxic to animal life, particularly birds.
Both accumulate in animal (including human) bodies and disrupt the
body's hormonal and reproductive systems. Lead and mercury can cause
neurological and behavioral problems, particularly in children. All four
pollutants are especially dangerous to pregnant women and children, due
to their effects on the body's development.
According to the "Toxics Release Inventory," slight decreases in air and
water pollution occurred between 2006 and 2007 -- 7 percent and 5
percent, respectively.
In December 2006, the Bush administration implemented a rule decreasing
the thoroughness of the EPA's toxics release reporting program. In March
of this year, however, President Obama signed a law overturning the Bush
policy.
"The public has a right to know about chemicals in their air and water,"
said New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who authored the law. "The Bush
administration watered down this law and let facilities hide critical
data about their toxic chemical emissions. It is time to restore the
public's right to know about the release of toxic chemicals in their
communities."
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