Open Secrets: The Widespread Availability of Information about the Health and Environmental Effects of Chemicals

Abstract:     
Numerous mechanisms exist to ensure the disclosure of information about chemical hazards to the public: some federal laws drive the disclosure of information regarding hazards that chemicals may pose to health or the environment. Other federal laws and the tort system create substantial liabilities for entities that conceal chemical hazard information. Laws requiring and promoting disclosure of hazard information are discussed, including relevant provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, OSHA's Hazard Communication standards, and the Freedom of Information Act. The chemical industry's voluntary programs to publish risk information, such as the High Production Volume Challenge Program, CHEMSTAR, and Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program are described.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 25

Keywords: chemical risk information, disclosure, FOIA, TSCA, FIFRA

JEL Classification: I18, K13, K23, K32

Accepted Paper Series