Environment - Right-to-Know Laws

Right-to-Know Laws

Introduction

"Mandatory public disclosure under the right-to-know laws has caused businesses to take a critical look at the toxic chemicals they use, to invent safer alternatives, and to find ways to prevent pollution."
-Rep. Henry Waxman

Representative Henry Waxman believes every American has a right to know basic information about environmental hazards. And during the past two decades, he has succeeded in sponsoring and passing legislation that gives families important information about the quality of our nation's air, drinking water, and food.

Before 1985, no level of government–federal, state, or local–or any other entity collected information on the amounts of toxic pollution emitted into the air. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not even maintain an accurate list of where chemical plants were located in the United States.

As a result, in January 1985, as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health and the Environment Subcommittee, Representative Waxman compiled his own report on the amount of toxic air pollutants emitted from the nation's largest chemical companies. Building on this start, in 1986 Representative Waxman was one of the sponsors of a right-to-know provision that required EPA to collect data on toxic air emissions.

Representative Waxman has succeeded in applying that same right-to-know approach to other environmental hazards. In 1992, for instance, he sponsored the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act 1992. The law simply requires that families be informed of potential lead hazards in their homes, so that they can take appropriate steps to reduce the risks of lead poisoning.

And in 1996, Representative Waxman was able to expand right-to-know provisions to drinking water and food. In April 1996, Representative Waxman introduced H.R.3280, a bill to guarantee the public's right to know about contaminants in their drinking water. This legislation was later incorporated into the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996. These right-to-know provisions require each community water system to mail an annual report to consumers on the source of water provided, the levels of detected contaminants, whether a system is operating under a variance or exemption from drinking water standards and brief statements on the health concerns of various contaminants and any health concerns associated with a violation of a drinking water standard. The provision also established an EPA hotline to provide consumers with more information.

Representative Waxman also worked to include consumer right-to-know provisions in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. This legislation requires the EPA to publish annually and distribute to large retail grocers for public display a pamphlet that (1) describes the risks and benefits of pesticides and (2) recommends ways to reduce dietary exposure to pesticide residues while maintaining a healthy diet. If EPA uses its authority to leave on the market pesticides that do not meet the new safety standard, the pamphlet must identify the foods on which these pesticides are used and list reasonable substitutes for these foods.

Representative Waxman introduced legislation in the 105th and 106th Congress to strengthen our federal right-to-know laws based on successful state right-to-know initiatives. The Children's Environmental Protection and Right-to-Know Act would provide the public with information about toxic chemical use in their communities and information about toxic chemicals in consumer products.

Statements

February 5, 1999| Dear Colleague: Letter to Members of Congress
Sunshine is the Greatest Disinfectant

May 15, 1999| Statement to the House of Representatives
The Children's Environmental Protection and Right to Know Act of 1997

Legislative Information

In the 105th Congress, Representative Waxman introduced the "Children's Environmental Protection and Right-to-Know Act of 1997," H.R. 1636, on May 15, 1997. The legislation gathered the support of 147 Members of Congress. Representative Waxman reintroduced the legislation in the 106th Congress as the "Children's Environmental Protection and Right-to-Know Act of 1999," H.R. 1657, on May 3, 1999.

Children´s Environmental Protection and Right to Know Act of 1999
Fact Sheet
Summary