The Zero Toxics Alliance is a production of the Washington Toxics Coalition. They are responsible for its contents. The Statement of Principles are presented in the associated file.

I present the following views regarding the Zero Toxics Alliance -- Statement of Principles. The views are my own and I am solely responsible for their content.

MY VIEWS REGARDING THE ZERO TOXICS ALLIANCE -- STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

A goal of eliminating toxics is not realistic. The approach outlined in the Statement of Principles is extreme and unfortunately may reinforce a schism between industry representatives and environmental groups. We should be working together to find common understanding, not polarizing the situation.

I attended a risk assessment seminar sponsored by the WTC. I expected a rational discussion of the merits and deficiencies of risk assessments. After all the seminar was open to the public and drew a cross section of people including regulators, industrial representatives, lay people and university professors. However the WTC sanctioned speakers attacked risk assessments as a license to murder and refused to accept the rationale that risk assessments when used well are a tool for helping to make resource allocation decisions. The WTC sanctioned speakers claimed that the USA had enough money to take care of all social, environmental and economic problems and therefore we don't have to choose what problems to attack. They spoke of the environmental forum as a war and said that any actions are justified to win it. One of the action items that was suggested was to pick an industry that had some obvious weakness and attack it, hurt it, set an example for other industries. I for one was offended by the attack on my profession. I know many well meaning, concerned environmental professionals and none of them likes to be accused of murder or pillage.



Go to the Wastewater Engineering Home Page

Dr. Joseph D. Edwards, P.E.
Industrial Wastewater Engineering
Copyright (c) Joseph D. Edwards
last revision = 12/24/94