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BumRushDaShow

(142,248 posts)
Thu Oct 17, 2024, 06:30 PM Oct 17

Lawsuits aim to prevent 'illegal' hiding of toxic chemicals by US regulators

Source: The Guardian

Thu 17 Oct 2024 08.00 EDT
Last modified on Thu 17 Oct 2024 13.25 EDT


Two lawsuits aim to stop US federal regulators and industry from “illegally” hiding basic information about toxic chemicals used in consumer products that are potentially polluting the environment and endangering public health.

Companies often claim that toxic chemicals’ health and safety data, and even their names, are “confidential business information” (CBI) because making the data public could damage their bottom line.

The US Environmental Protection Agency frequently allows industry to use the tactic, which makes it virtually impossible for public health researchers to quickly learn about dangerous chemicals. It also bars most EPA staff and state regulators from accessing the information and criminal charges could be brought against those who do.

That leaves regulators attempting to protect the public without essential information for some chemicals and in effect creates a “shadow regulatory government” in the EPA, said Tim Whitehouse, a former EPA attorney who is now director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer), a plaintiff in one of the suits.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/17/lawsuit-prevent-hiding-toxic-chemicals



Link to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer) SUIT (PDF) - https://peer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2_15_24-PEER-AND-CEH-v-EPA_Inhance-FOIA-complaint-Final-Draft-2-14.pdf

Link to Environmental Defense Fund SUIT (PDF) - https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/press-releases/231109--EDF_BRIEF--CBI.pdf
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Lawsuits aim to prevent 'illegal' hiding of toxic chemicals by US regulators (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Oct 17 OP
At this point I don't know if it will help to know WhiteTara Oct 17 #1
It is vital that this information be made publicly available. We were winning the war on pollution with the Clean Air Martin68 Oct 17 #2
Then fact that this was even an acceptable position is horrendous. OldBaldy1701E Oct 18 #3

WhiteTara

(30,156 posts)
1. At this point I don't know if it will help to know
Thu Oct 17, 2024, 07:08 PM
Oct 17

The world is impregnated with micro plastics, so what else? Poison of all kinds? yeah. If there was a chance before not to die, our life style has made it mandatory and die we all will.

Martin68

(24,604 posts)
2. It is vital that this information be made publicly available. We were winning the war on pollution with the Clean Air
Thu Oct 17, 2024, 08:26 PM
Oct 17

Act and the Clean Water Act, but this is a new front that we need to win.

OldBaldy1701E

(6,339 posts)
3. Then fact that this was even an acceptable position is horrendous.
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 06:50 AM
Oct 18
Companies often claim that toxic chemicals’ health and safety data, and even their names, are “confidential business information” (CBI) because making the data public could damage their bottom line.


So, endangering customers should be allowed if the manufacturers feel they might lose money by admitting that they are trying to poison the public as a means to cheat on materials/ingredients and increase profits. Gotcha.

(But, I am the one being 'unrealistic' about the dangers of capitalism.)

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