Industry Documents Examined In Wake of EWG Internet Posting

Chemical Market Reporter
April 23, 2001
By Glenn Hess

Excerpts:

Aides to Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are examining chemical industry documents that have prompted charges by environmentalists that the industry has misled workers and the public about the health risks of its products.

The congressional staffers are reviewing a database of internal chemical industry memos, letters, reports and meeting minutes that were posted on the Internet by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in late March.

. . .

At least one Democrat on the House committee--Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts--believes the issues raised by the documents warrant a congressional investigation of the industry.

According to a staff aide, Rep. Markey has already sent letters to President George W. Bush and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) urging an inquiry.

The staffer says the documents under review paint a "disturbing portrait of deception" by the chemical industry and warrant a full investigation.

. . .

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