I still can’t believe it.
This week, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson delivered a gift to Dow Chemical and the rest of the chemical industry.
I bet you’re wondering. What’d she do? Nothing.
You see, that’s the problem.
For twenty seven years, we’ve been waiting for the release of the EPA’s report on the health hazards on dioxin. Since 1985! We know dioxin is one of the most toxic chemicals on the planet, but without a final report from EPA on the health impacts of dioxin, the EPA’s and state governments’ hands are tied to meaningfully protect us from this unnecessary poisonous chemical.
For twenty seven years, every step of the way, the chemical industry and big ag have delayed the release of this critical public health report.
We’ve been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. It’s not just us. Vietnam Veterans, breast cancer advocates, environmental justice leaders and many others have raised their voices and called on EPA to finalize this study once and for all. Thousands of people and organizations have signed a letter calling on EPA to finalize this report. We’re all in this together.
Our rallying cry? Enough is enough – no more delays! After all, we have the the right to know.
And I’m afraid to say, it’s happened again this week. I still can’t believe it.
That’s why we need your help. We can’t let them get away with this!
In response to these new delays, we issued a national press release blasting EPA . Our founder and Executive Director, Lois Gibbs, who’s been working on dioxin issues for over 30 years, had this to say:
“Shame on EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson for denying parents the information they need to protect their children from the health impacts of dioxin. This is America — parents have the right to know. Today the EPA has once again caved into pressure from Dow Chemical and their chemical industry cronies. EPA shouldn’t cave in to chemical industry dollars and interests over public health. Cancer, diabetes, infertility, learning disabilities and other chronic diseases linked to dioxin exposure are extremely costly to American taxpayers. EPA missed yet another deadline to release their report on dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals on the planet. In recent months, the chemical industry has been working behind closed doors to hide and distort the truth about the dangers of dioxin. At the same time, Vietnam Veterans, breast cancer advocates, public health organizations, and environmental justice leaders have stood shoulder to shoulder and urged EPA to do what’s right for the health of American children and families. We call on EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to immediately release this important report. We can’t wait any longer.”
Our allies at the Lone Tree Council did as well. Michelle Hurd Riddick of the Council had this to say:
“Since the mid 1980’s when the Reagan administration permitted Dow Chemical to rewrite the EPA report on dioxin, administration after administration in the White House has cowed to this company and their lobbyists. Public health is being sacrificed, our water resources disregarded and science is being ignored once again in an effort to placate the moneyed interest. It is indefensible that this administration capitulated to industry, reaffirming the belief of most Americans that corporations have greater influence and more control and rights than people”
This has generated a wave of media coverage around the country, from the Wall Street Journal and CNN, to Greenwire, the Saginaw News, Michigan Public Radio, and the Atlantic.
The American Chemistry Council (aka Dow Chemical’s spokespeople) was quoted as saying, “Another delay is unfortunate.”
What? That’s just exactly what they want.
EPA has been amazingly silent this week. They issued no official statement on the timeframe for next steps. No update to the science plan. Nothing.
I still can’t believe it.
Where is EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson?
Paging Lisa Jackson, the American people are waiting for you. We can’t wait any longer.