Why should government make more information about toxic chemical use available to the public, given concerns about chemical facilities becoming terrorist targets?

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many chemical companies, trade organizations, and certain government agencies have argued that it is necessary to remove from public access any information that could facilitate acts of terrorism on chemical manufacturing facilities in the United States. But in times of crisis, it is especially crucial for Americans to know about potential threats to their communities in order to develop effective emergency response measures at facilities where toxic chemicals are used and stored. Expanded right-to-know information ­ especially information on toxic chemical use -- is crucial to identifying those facilities where hazard reduction measures (such as the elimination of toxic and explosive materials) are needed most. Yet this is the very information that is being blacked out by government and opposed by the chemical industry.

A national coalition of individuals and organizations (including INFORM) concerned about the threats to public safety posed by the presence of extremely hazardous chemicals in thousands of US communities has endorsed a new Safe Hometowns Initiative. Launched in response to the threat of terrorist attack on industrial manufacturing plants and other facilities where toxic chemicals are used, the initiative encourages government and industry to protect the public by putting prevention first and involving communities in decisions about chemical site security. More information on the Safe Hometowns Initiative is available at http://www.safehometowns.org/.

The Safe Hometowns Initiative is supporting the Chemical Security Act (S. 1602), a bill introduced by Senators Boxer, Clinton, Corzine, and Jeffords (a copy is available at http://www.cpda.com/teampublish/uploads/S1602.pdf). This legislation seeks, first and foremost, to minimize industrial chemical hazards in communities by promoting the use of inherently safer technologies that reduce or eliminate the possibility of a serious chemical fire or release. Second, the bill aims to ensure that high-priority industries secure and safeguard chemical hazards that cannot be eliminated.