Emma Cheuse

"Whether EPA will follow today’s action reaffirming the best available science by requiring fenceline air monitoring at these chemical facilities, petrochemical complexes and other facilities like sterilizers is still an open question, and whether it does this will be part of the ultimate test of the agency’s commitment to fenceline communities’ health and well-being."

“The data show a problem that EPA needs to address. You can constantly improve the data, and more research will always be helpful, but the EPA also needs to act on the information we have now.”

“We recognize that what was acceptable [risk tolerance levels] then is not OK now.”

“It’s hard to have any confidence with industry changes to its own estimated emission numbers.”

“The science shows that communities are facing unacceptable threats of cancer and other diseases from these chemical plants’ pollution. The critical question for EPA to answer in the process is what will it do to finally and truly help communities still facing this injustice?”

“Trump reversed all prevention measures. The program right now is weak.”

“It’s pretty shocking that the EPA has done nothing for people exposed to these chemical plants more than two years after that announcement of that important finding.”