RE: librarians as advocates for common sense environmental information

[Jim Cooper <james.cooper@socma.com>]

Good message, Tom.  I worked at a chemical information hotline for
years, handling both emergencies and non-emergency requests for
information.  In over 7 years, I don't think I ever used an EPA
publication for information.  I used resources from other agencies,
though, on a daily basis.  One of the best compilations of health
and environmental information is packaged by Micromedix.  It uses
many of the databases to which you refer.  Interestingly, much of
the data used in those databases, as well as others, was generated
by the chemical industry.  Rigorous peer review helped keep the
information precise, accurate and relevant.  It would serve EPA
well to follow this type of review format.

In all fairness, we should also remember that EPA did not enter 
into the area of providing health and environmental information to 
the general public until the mid- to late 90's.  If they can settle 
territorial and inter-departmental issues over at the Agency, they 
could become the premier source of information.  

One of the hurdles in all of this is that EPA feels it has the 
right to refuse publication of reports with which it does not 
agree.  Balance is one of the keys in good science.  EPA, as well
as other interested parties, should always have the right to 
publish comments along side of reports that are provided to the 
general public.  However, in fairness to the authors of the orignial
reports, whether they are from industry, environmental groups, 
or whereever,nobody should have the right to modify or withhold 
information from the general public because they don't agree with
it.

Regards,
Jim Cooper