Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 20:21:21 -0700

REPRESENTATIVES of the chemical industry, who said they had not read the report, defended the industry's record, saying it is reducing emissions and spending $100 million to study the health effects of chemicals released into the air and water.

The rankings, by the Environmental Trust, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Learning Disabilities Association of America, is based on data reported by industry and made available this year by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"This is the first complete snapshot we've ever had of toxic pollution in this country that can affect the way that children's bodies and brains develop," Jeff Wise, policy director of the National Environmental Trust, said in a statement accompanying the report.

The industry data show that 1.2 billion pounds of chemicals dangerous to children were released into the air and water nationwide in 1998.

Citing a 1989 federal estimate that emissions account for 5 percent of all chemical releases, the coalition said that translated into 24 billion pounds of chemicals released each year, enough toxic chemicals to fill railroad tanker cars stretching from New York to Albuquerque, N.M.

According to the industry data, Louisiana and Texas - both home to large petrochemical industries - emit the most developmental and neurological toxins into air and water. Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida are also major emitters.

The states with the lowest volumes were Vermont, Hawaii, New Mexico, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

The report also looked at releases by counties, and found that in most of those with the highest releases, the number of black residents exceeded the national average.

Using 1998 data reported by industry, a coalition of health activists ranked states in terms of emissions of toxins suspected of or known to cause developmental and neurological problems in children.