Regarding the article titled “Taking inventory against toxic hazards” (MetroLake, Aug. 14), which detailed area firefighters’ efforts to test new and old equipment designed to handle toxic accidents.
It is good to see that firefighters are prepared for hazardous accidents. Unfortunately, they are not as well prepared as they should be, nor is the public. In fact, we are all kept in the dark in respect to most toxic chemicals in our communities. Only 5 percent of the toxic substances that are emitted into the air or water, or travel our highways, is reported to the public under current disclosure requirements.
Because of this lack of reporting, everyone is threatened by accidents that endanger our health and our lives. The recently proposed Community Right to Know and Children’s Health Protection Act will increase the reporting on toxic chemicals in our back yards.
I urge the entire Illinois congressional delegation to help protect the health and lives of firefighters and the rest of us by expanding our right to know about toxics in the environment.
