The 1999 NEHA Right-to-Know Conference and Exhibition.

Introduction

One and a half years of planning and implementation work culminated, from October 25 to October 28, 1999, in the successful 1999 Right-to-Know (RTK) Conference and Exhibition. The conference was held in Denver and was attended by nearly 300 individuals from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. It represented a new and exciting departure for a NEHA-sponsored conference, convening representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA); the chemical industry; environmental advocacy groups; state and local governmental agencies with responsibilities in Superfund, community right-to-know, and pollution prevention programs; and the environmental and public health community The diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints led to a dynamic exchange of ideas on a host of related issues, It also provided attendees with an invaluable opportunity to network in both formal and informal settings and foster a common understanding that will promote more effective right-to-know efforts.

New Initiatives

The conference served as the platform for the introduction of U.S. EPAs new Office of Environmental Information Management. The new office will perform a central role in coordinating agency functions related to the collection and analysis of environmental data and technological resources. Its facilitation of these processes will provide a comprehensive resource for environmental professionals collecting, interpreting, and disseminating environmental data.

The RTK conference also offered a forum for both governmental and industry perspectives on the new voluntary Chemical-Right-to-Know Program. Presentations dealt with implementation of the new program, the role of industry in providing data under the program, and the links between the program and other RTK initiatives.

Opening- and Closing-Session Speakers

Nelson Fabian, NEHAs executive director, welcomed the attendees to Denver and characterized the RTK conference as an example of NEHA's commitment to quality, state-of-the-art environmental education and training. He pointed out that the conference further reinforced the strong relationship between NEHA and U.S. EPA and demonstrated NEHAs ability to plan and organize an event offering the newest perspectives on an important environmental health topic.

Bill Yellowtail, Regional Administrator for U.S. EPA Region 8, was the second opening speaker. Mr. Yellowtail outlined the key role the Region 8 office plays in administering some $70 million earmarked for Superfund cleanup and remediation of oil spills and leaking underground storage tanks. He emphasized the fact that the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and other right-to-know "tools" serve dual purposes:

1. providing critical information to citizens so that they can access information on health risks presented by toxic substances and

2. providing "strong incentives for business to find innovative ways to prevent toxic pollution."

An interesting international perspective was provided by Jeremy Wates. Mr. Wates holds a key position with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe as secretary to the Aarhus Commission. In this capacity, he is directly involved with the following issues: access to information, environmental justice, and public participation. Those issues serve as the framework for the goals of the Aarhus Commission. Mr. Wates's talk provided insight into challenges facing the European Environmental Bureau as it seeks to implement environmental-access goals mandated since the adoption of the Aarhus convention in June of 1998.

The U.S. EPA perspective was offered by two speakers. Joseph Carra, deputy director of the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, detailed the role of that office in RTK and in the effort to reduce childhood lead poisoning. Margaret Schneider introduced the new Office of Environmental Information Management discussed above,

Educational Sessions

The conference was organized around three general "topic tracks": "What Are the Key Sources of Data?" "How to Meet the Public Access Data Challenge," and "Using RTK Data." Within these broad tracks, 103 different presenters offered information. The sessions were designed to be interactive--audience questions and participation were encouraged. Highlights included

* "How to Collect Monitoring Data and Integrate It with Environmental Information,"

* "Federally Funded Partnership Efforts to Collect and Disseminate Local Data,"

* "Understanding the Links Between TRI Data and Other Releases,"

* "How the Public Can Take the Initiative to Access Data,"

* "The Role of Health Care Providers in Providing Environmental Data,"

* "Statutory Approaches to Facilitate Public Access,

* "Industry Application of Release Data and Environmental Monitoring," and

"Another aspect of the educational program was the availability of computer software demonstrations. Some 14 demonstrations included coverage of the Environmental Defense Fund's "Scorecard" and U.S. EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics "Risk Screening Indicators." The National Library of Medicine and the Medical Communities Project also contributed to the computer software demonstrations.

* "RTK Successes for Data Integration at the Federal, State, and Local Level."

An additional educational feature was a tour of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Tour participants had a first-hand view of the restoration project that took the arsenal site from Superfund contamination designation to a national wildlife refuge. On-site tour topics covered remediation techniques as well as intergovernmental and industry cooperation.

Sponsorship and Exhibits

NEHA wishes to acknowledge and thank the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) for generously providing a general sponsorship contribution that supported the educational program. CMA's support helped ensure a high-quality and well-balanced program.

Exhibitors representing government, industry, and nonprofit environmental groups added another dimension to the educational program. The exhibit hall offered a unique setting in which attendees could talk face-to-face with organizations and companies about RTK issues, products, and services.

Social Events and Networking

A number of social events provided attendees with an enjoyable and relaxed setting designed to be conducive to networking and the exchange of information and ideas. An "icebreaker reception" was held the first evening of the conference. The following morning, a grand opening of the exhibit hall helped attendees meet exhibitors. Two off-site social events allowed attendees to tour downtown Denver and to dine at a famous restaurant that provided a "taste of the Old West." A networking lunch was held on the last full day of the conference and served as an enjoyable interlude to the more formal conference sessions.

Conclusion

Formal conference proceedings have been published by NEHA and have been provided to all conference attendees and exhibitors. Readers who would like to obtain copies will find an order form on page 35.

The conference evaluations and attendee comments confirm that HEHA's RTK Conference was an unqualified success. NEHA will be discussing our possible involvement in presenting the next RTK Conference, which is tentatively scheduled for 2001. We firmly believe that NEHA'S ability to plan, organize, and present this kind of event is consistent with our mission of advancing the environmental health profession through education and training. Look for NEHA to be involved in planning and presenting other conferences for a variety of governmental agencies and other associations. This exciting and continuing trend was demonstrated in this conference and will he in evidence again at NEHA's Annual Educational Conference this summer in Denver.