Ever wonder if your water is contaminated with toxic runoff from local industry? What about if your kids are safe playing in the dirt at home or at school?  California regulators should be able to eliminate that fear.  We’re at the confirmation hearing for the new director of the CA Dept. of Toxic Control to make sure she answers the tough questions and outlines her plans to hold companies accountable if their hazardous waste and manufacturing facilities are spewing toxins into our air and water.

And just this morning, the Sacramento Bee published an opinion piece that further illustrated the need for regulations that have teeth and for regulators who are strong enough to stand up to industry power brokers.

The underbelly of industry in California is toxic waste, from the arcane chemicals used to manufacture computers to contaminated engine oil left behind after an an oil change at a service station. The state has strict rules and regulations on how such waste can be disposed of or recycled – governing storage, transportation and reprocessing to protect air, soil and water…Yet too many middle- and working-class families in this position are plagued by odors, toxic dust, fiery accidents and worries about their drinking water.” -Judy Dugan & Doug Heller, Special to the Sacramento Bee 4/11/2012

Read more of the Sacramento Bee opinion piece here