103 



technical assessment is complete, we will focus on strategies to 

 achieve acceptance of these more desirable technologies. 



Another example is our recent experience with the case involving 

 EDC, or ethylene dichloride. EPA used hazard data along with the 

 Toxics Release Inventory and census data to look at the possible 

 risks associated with releases. We discovered that four industrial 

 facilities were responsible for most of the nationwide releases and 

 potential risks and that a single facility in Indiana had the highest 

 levels of releases of EDC, a probable human carcinogen. EPA and 

 the State of Indiana are now in the final stages of negotiation to 

 ensure that releases from the facility are sharply reduced. 



An important part of risk management that I have hinted at al- 

 ready is the role of State and local governments, industry, labor 

 unions, public interest groups, and grass roots community groups 

 in working with EPA to achieve environmental improvements. One 

 of the most effective ways for EPA to encourage participation is for 

 us to deliver key environmental information on risks of chemicals 

 of concern. 



As you can imagine, we receive much important information 

 about chemicgds from a variety of sources, yet much of this infor- 

 mation currently is not available to the public or even to the 

 States. Why? Because much of what we receive is classified as con- 

 fidential. TSCA is basically an open invitation for industry to claim 

 any information confidential. 



I have brought some examples to show the kinds of problems we 

 have with the data that are submitted as confidential. 



In this first case, note that every single piece of meaningful data 

 has been excised from the study. Basically, it is a page of "a"s, 

 "and"s, and "the"s. 



In the next two exhibits, we have a before and after picture. In 

 the first, again, no meaningful information was provided. The sec- 

 ond reflects what information became available after an agency re- 

 view and challenge of the information that had been claimed as 

 confidential. 



Not only do these claims limit our ability to provide needed 

 health and environmental information, they also burden the agency 

 with protecting information that does not need to be protected for 

 legitimate business reasons. 



Other primary players in risk management of chemicals are 

 those Feoeral agencies that address occupational risks of chemi- 

 cals, such as OSHA and NIOSH. I am very glad to see both agen- 

 cies represented today to inform us about strategies to reduce occu- 

 pational risks of existing chemicals. 



Section 9 of TSCA was intended to establish a working relation- 

 ship between EPA and other Federal agencies. But its use was 

 largely abandoned in the 1980s because of resource burdens. How- 

 ever, OSHA, NIOSH, the Mining Safety and Health Administra- 

 tion, and EPA have formed the one committee to bring together 

 senior officials to address issues of mutual concern and establish 

 better coordination. 



Mr. Chairman, I sincerely hope my testimony today highlights 

 the importance of setting an agenda for risk assessment and risk 

 management for existing chemicals and the value of proceeding 

 within a framework of right-to-know and pollution prevention. At 



