RTK NET Relaunches Chemical Risk Data Site

May 7, 2009–RTK NET's powerful tools make it easy to see which cities face the worst chemical risks, and what chemicals are involved.

"Trade Secrets" — Largely Untested Grounds for Toxic Secrecy

April 22, 2009–Witnesses at a House Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection hearing in February said excessive and unjustified claims of "confidential business information" dampen EPA's efforts to regulate commonly used chemicals.

After Secrecy Claims, Bayer's Own Lapses Revealed as Biggest Threat

April 22, 2009–A U.S. Chemical Safety Board public hearing, delayed for a month due to Bayer's pleas for secrecy, finds lack of safety to be contributing factors to the 'accident' that killed two at an Institute, WV, plant in August 2008.

EPA Reverses Bush-Era Toxics Release Inventory Blackout

April 22, 2009–A new rule signed by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson restores cuts in how much data communities can get about nearby industrial releases of toxic substances.

Toolbox: EPA's Pesticide Emergency Exemptions Database

April 22, 2009–There could be a story breeding behind the emergency pesticide exemptions — which could number in the hundreds — in your state.

EPA To Test School Air Quality

April 15, 2009–Following a December 2008 USA Today investigation into toxic air enveloping US schools, EPA will begin monitoring air quality around 62 schools in 22 states.

Lung Association To Release Air Quality Report

April 15, 2009–The ALA's annual State of the Air report can provide a useful hook for reporting on air quality in your community, but for the big picture, do go beyond the sound-bite information emphasized in the report.

Consent Decree Forces Regs on Selected Gas and Diesel Engines

April 1, 2009–Restrictions would be placed on many types of stationary diesel and gas-fired engines under a proposed EPA rule.

Blue Sky for TRI?

March 25, 2009–EPA's public release of the latest Toxics Release Inventory data -- and rollback of Bush-era cutbacks on the amount of information chemical companies must report -- may have marked the beginning of a new era for the embattled program.

CSB Reschedules W.VA. Meeting After Bayer Secrecy Demands

March 25, 2009–A public meeting regarding the U.S. Chemical Safety Board's investigation of the August 2008 explosion at Bayer CropScience which killed two workers, originally scheduled for March 19, was postponed to April 23, 2009.