Dozens of Countries Agree To Right-To-Know Act

Date: January 30, 2003

Source: News Room

Over 30 European, Central Asian and North American countries have agreed on a pact extending the public's right to know about chemical waste and toxic pollutants in their neighborhoods. The draft treaty covers the disposal, storage, recycling and treatment of dangerous materials ranging from minerals to metals, fertilizers and hydrocarbons. Under the pact, states pledged to set up national registers of industrial pollutants released into the water, air and soil. These "pollutant release and transfer registers" will be publicly accessible, user-friendly and updated annually with information on 86 pollutants considered to pose the most significant threats to the environment or health.

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