The Pharos Project is a project of the Healthy Building Network. HBN is:

In Vermont:
Melissa Coffin, Bill Walsh

In California:
Tom Lent

In Washington, DC:
Larry Kilroy, Sarah Gilberg, Sarah Pickell, Susan Sabella

In Maine:
Jim Vallette

ANOTHER WALL COMES DOWN: EPA’S OPEN ACCESS TOXICITY DATABASE

Over the past six months, we’ve begun to see a new EPA – one that supports transparency and access to information about chemicals. We’re moving away from broad protections for industry non-disclosure, formerly protected by confidential business information (CBI) rules. Advocates and consumers can look to EPA to begin to take action on some of the worst-in-class chemicals that can affect human health (including many found in building materials). And just yesterday, the EPA provided open access to its toxicity database, providing a new vehicle for researchers and industry leaders, and ready access to scientific studies about chemicals.

The open access database isn’t for everyone. The information in the database is highly technical and scientific. It will help those of us at Pharos obtain up-to-date scientific information about chemicals and materials, making it easier for us to undertake our research into products’ material contents. It will help green business leaders who hope to make products that are healthier for humans, by giving them access to known research into alternative chemicals and materials.

But most importantly, it sends a signal that this government values transparency and access to information – information that, for too long, has been buried behind a wall.

Julie Silas is a researcher with the Pharos Project and a health care expert with the Healthy Building Network.

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