WISPIRG Works To Protect Toxics Right-To-Know Law

In 2004, facilities in Wisconsin released to the air and water more than 1 million pounds of toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, according to a new report released by WISPIRG in March.

The report uses information from the federal Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) to analyze toxic pollution linked to serious health problems such as cancer, birth defects or neurological damage. The federal Toxic Release Inventory is a public right-to-know program that requires industrial facilities to publicly disclose their toxic releases.

Recently, the EPA weakened the program by authorizing industrial facilities to withhold previously reported pollution information.

“This report confirms that communities across Wisconsin are routinely put at risk by toxic pollution,” said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG public interest advocate. “Unfortunately, EPA’s action means that many communities will be left in the dark about this risk.”

In 2004, EPA reported that the TRI has helped to reduce toxic pollution by 57 percent since 1988. WISPIRG is working to ensure communities have full and complete access to toxic pollution information.