Web site makes it easy to track toxic chemicals in communities

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - March 30, 2005

05-069

Web site makes it easy to track toxic chemicals in communities

OLYMPIA - Where would you go to find out if your ceiling contains asbestos, what chemicals are used at the business down the street or how much mercury is released into the air by a neighborhood manufacturer?

Citizens have a legal right to this information, and the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) hosts a Web site and toll-free hotline to make it easier to find. The information is available to the public online at www.ecy.wa.gov/hsieo or by phone at 800-633-7585.

Through the Hazardous Substance Information & Education Office (HSIEO), Ecology makes information about toxic and other hazardous substances available to the public. Data are available about chemicals used or stored at individual facilities, their uses and if any have been released into the environment. People and businesses also can get information about how to properly recycle hazardous materials, and even learn about the health effects of common chemicals.

"The goal is to help citizens, businesses and other government entities improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment," said Idell Hansen, who coordinates the HSIEO.

The Web site serves as a portal to downloadable software applications such as CAMEO (Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations), which supplies technical information on 80,000 chemicals, and TRIDS (Toxic Release Inventory Display System), which tracks hazardous substances released into the environment.

The site also supplies links to information resources such as the Environmental Defense Fund Scorecard, which lists toxic-substance details according to zip code.

"We have a great data network, so even though we're not toxicologists in the HSIEO, we can direct people to the experts. It's a one-stop shop for facts on toxic substances," said Hansen.

###

Contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information manager, 360-407-6149

Hazardous Substance Information and Education Office: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/hsieo
Toll-free numbers at Ecology: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/1-800.html
Community Right-to-Know resources: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/epcra/resources.html
Ecology's Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/index.html