EPA Takes Action Against Chemical Plant Pollution and Toxicity.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that chemical plants across the US measure certain hazardous compounds that cross beyond their property lines and reduce them when they are too high. The proposed rules would reduce cancer risk and other exposure for communities that live close to harmful emitters. The data would be made public and the results would force companies to fix problems that increase emissions. The proposed measure is also intended to address short-term emissions spikes when plants start up, shut down and malfunction. If the proposal is finalized, it would impact roughly 200 chemical plants, the agency said.