TOXIC DISCLOSURE IN THE UNITED STATES
The same way buyers or consumers would like to have good information about what they buy and eat is the same way the government goes around manufacturing companies to ensure that the necessary procedures have been followed to see that the risk of exposure is reduced to a sufficient level not to cause harm to the consumer. In most cases it is the toxic substance produced and released during production is what is monitored to prevent pollution. In other cases, it is required of the manufacturer to give a detailed description of the product he or she is offering and what was done to ensure the success of the product before release to prevent health hazards. 
Every country has an empowered board that Oversees this. Like in the United States, the
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) requires companies to disclose amount of toxic substance released each year. Of course this is required as it helps prevent depletion of the ozone. This is a major step to ensure the reduction of waste and reduce the already kicked of global warming situation of the world. So far in the world today the Petroleum companies have been Known to be one of the highest contributors to global warming due to their excess release of toxic gases. Most of this companies that release a significant amount of toxic waste are unaware of the danger and harm they are causing to the biodiversity of the ecosystem. In such cases, a specific amount of waste should be allowed above which there should be a fine.
With recent advancement aimed to reduce this toxic wastes, there are has been a successful impact on the world’s global Health. Emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide, Sulfur dioxide are very dangerous to the atmosphere. This could result in falling of acid rain. Not only this but there have been several cases of Chemical spills in the United States which have resulted in the death of many. One instance was that which happened in Bhopal India as a result of chemical spill from a chemical plant that ended up claiming the lives of many. For the purpose to prevent this, TRI was developed for the public scrutiny of some companies that pollute the water we cook with, drink etc. This program creates a good disincentive to pollute. An emergency planning act was established which stated the need to report the amount of toxic chemicals released to the environment every year which the which have been publicly available by the TRI program. The solution to this was announced by EPA (environmental protection agency) which permits companies to use shorter, less detailed forms to report little quantities of stubborn or non-transient bio accumulative toxins that are harmful at low levels along with the release of chemicals stipulated by the TRI up to 2000 pounds.
Instead of going back or slowly withdrawing from public disclosure, it would be better to continue with the success of the TRI program. This exposure approach applies to not only to the conservative economist who very well believe that the toxic information that has been disclosed can help promote consumer or citizens as a whole, empowerment and as well encourage firms to reduce harmful activities. Adhering to these instructions by the TRI and EPA comes from the ill-desire to be viewed as a negative company by targeted consumers or citizens (in other words, to avoid a negative public view), including reducing the trust of the people on the company. TRI is cost effective. They impose a minor cost on industries so that they adhere to the program. They do not determine how the companies minimize cost but as long as they do not release excess toxic chemicals, they are good. TRI promotes democratic decisions by helping citizens to be more aware on their stand with regulated entities. EPI on the other hand spends less budget implementing their programs. Both arms have the same aims and are very effective in carrying out their work. This country is ours, we should try to do our best to make the country better for us. For one it is not better when too much toxic chemicals are released to the environment.
Questions
- What’s your take on the recent activity of toxic disclosure?
- What do you feel as citizens can be done to help the TRI program to see it’s full implementation?
- Do you think the recent advancement has helped the world and it’s environment?
8 replies on “Toxic Disclosure”
Toxic disclosure is quite beneficial since it is targeted towards better life for the consumers. It prevents the companies from releasing too much toxins into the atmosphere.
The citizens must be empowered and enlightened by the government about the program.
Yes, in that it has made the world a better place to live, in some cases of the release of harmful substances which is dangerous to people’s health, regulations by government helps to curb these toxins and thus causes a better life as well.
As Muhammad discussed, the Toxics Release Inventory tracks toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. Companies in the U.S. must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment. The data received by these companies is collected in the TRI. I believe TRI is very important. It helps everyday citizens become informed about toxic chemicals in products they consume and allows them to make decisions in their communities to help protect public health and the environment. People have a right to know the toxic chemicals that are being used and released into their communities and if companies are doing anything to prevent pollution. TRI makes this information easily accessible to every citizen through online reports. I think TRI is a powerful tool to help communities protect their environment and their health. The public has a right to know what companies are doing to minimize pollution within their communities and full transparency with TRI makes sure this information is collected and accessible to the public to help them make informed decisions to protect their health and environment.
Requiring companies to disclose the amount of toxic substances they release is an important way to track and limit the spread of harmful toxins. Some of the purposes of regulation are to create accountability and to protect people from being harmed. These measures will keep companies conscious of their pollution in order to avoid a fine and bad publicity.
I think this blog post relates to what we’ve read in Oryx and Crake because their is a big emphasis on science and the over-manipulation of nature in the book. Jimmy’s father and Crake interfered with natural processes when they changed genes, similar to how these companies will interfere with the planet by releasing too many toxins. In order to prevent an apocalypse like in the book, we need to take preemptive measures like this.
I think that having agencies such as the TRI who require corporations to report their toxic substance release is beneficial to the planet and the people living on it. It’s interesting to think whether or not the world that Jimmy lived in in the story once had corporations such as the TRI to prevent toxic exposure but yet, a global catastrophe still happened. I wonder if the same corporations such as “Helthwyzer” who run the world in Oryx and Crake were the same corporations who once tried to protect it with agencies and policies similar to the TRI and EPA. Similar to how some were inducing the plague in Oryx and Crake but also developing an antidote for it. It’s important that the amount of toxins released is public so that the public, who will be the ones ultimately effected by the release of these toxic chemicals have some authority and awareness of the conditions they are living in.
I believe the recent advancement of the technology that allows US citizens to know and gain information about what is going on in their environment is a huge step in the right direction, but not quite helpful yet because toxic waste no matter how reduced, is still toxic. When the natural world is interfered with, there is not one person who will know the outcome, and thats why many believe that science can go too far. The question of moral and ethical responsibility is played out through these manufacturing companies as well as in Oryx and Crake. For many years manufacturing companies have been producing these horrible toxins that if you work near or live by will produce deadly health hazards, for example cancer. There is typically no cure for this disease and it costs thousands and thousands of dollars for treatments that could potentially kill you as well. The whole idea of toxic waste being related to class structure is also related to oryx and crake and the disease that is affiliated to the lower class people who can’t afford to reside with pharmaceutical companies to give them what they need to survive.
Toxic disclosure is not safe for the environment and it’s not safe for the people who live in this environment. Disclosing information especially when related to the environment should be prevented to the fullest extent, information especially when regarded to the environment which we all experience in our day to day lives should be public, so individuals can be aware of any incidents that could have occurred.
The TRI program could further expand its mission by making citizens aware of what the TRI is doing and why it’s important for citizens to understand what companies might be doing to our environment.
These advancements are important in securing the safety of the environment and in protecting the environment for future generations down the line.
Implementation of the TRI program is necessary and is beneficial for the public, government, and industry. First, it provides the public with information that they can use to identify potential concerns. Governments can use this data to compare facilities, classify hot spots, assess environmental programs. Industries can use this data to institute reduction targets and document reduction progress.
I think there a lot of things that can be done to help the TRI program to see it’s full implementation. It’s important to educate the public and to make sure they are informed about the world around them. This can be accomplished by showing the public that the TRI program is tool that is used for measuring toxic chemical uses/release. People could also be educated on the ways the program will benefit them if it is implemented.
I think toxic disclosure benefits the consumer that is buying a product because it tells the consumer what is being put into the products they are buying and using. TRI is also beneficial because it helps people know about the environment and how these toxic substances are negatively affecting our environment and causing things such as depletion of the ozone and global warming.