Dan There is a rich literature in the psych, marketing, communications and soc disciplines that explains the fact that information 'being available for years' has little relevance to information being understood, compelling and actionable. In addition, it is the responsibility of the federal government to incorporate valid limits on chemicals proven to be destructive to life and the environment, which you've already mentioned. If the EPA has the research and at one time set standards pertaining to Atrazine but then ignored them for the past several years, many people are going to ignore whatever information IS published that they have access to, "confident" that the government is carrying out its responsibilities. It doesn't matter what reports are published from one perspective. If the feds ignore the poisoning of America's water supply, there's no other agency with the legal authority to act against companies that are selling these products. The responsibility then falls to individuals, most of whom are unaware of the research and not part of a political entity that could have much influence even if they did know. If I recall correctly, American individuals or groups of individuals cannot sure agribusiness or anyone else for polluting the earth. The Superfund sites are still sitting there, polluting everything around them. There's no more action on them as far as I know. So, maybe the only thing that responsible people can do is keep publicizing the research and hope that the public eventually catches on and demands that Congress develop a backbone and do something.

I had to read this a couple of times to understand it. It's pretty wild - Scotts apparently forged registration numbers for products that had not been approved by the EPA. What is even stranger is that consumers are advised to hold onto these products until testing is complete and the registrations are granted. It certainly doesn't sound like Scotts is being penalized for their actions.

Brickeyee's opinion(mine also) and many other people's opinions are formed by years of watching our government over/under react to problems and usually making the problem much worse by the selected solution. The latest example is the Consumer product Safety information Act scheduled to take effect in February, 2010. This law is intended to protect American nchildren(in part) from toys with dangerous finishes/materials. Something that is needed, to be sure. Oops, seems they did NOT do their homework. The law will do what it is intended, but also has put the small toy/clothing/doll making companies(one person/small family) out of business. Why? Because to make toys now, the toys/dolls/doll clothing/etc. will have to be tested---EVERY SEPARATE ITEM!!!!!!!!! At a minimum cost of $200+ PER ITEM. That means all the guilds/clubs/individual groups who make wooden toys DONATED as well as sold, doll/clothing makers are effectively out of business. Know what I get when talking to Senator's office personnel to complain??? "Gee, we did not expect that UNINTENDED consequence." Yeah, that kind of protection really makes me confident in the Government. Here is a link that might be useful: CPSIA

Every "disaster" that has occurred in the past 30 years has been because a company, or someone, was not complying with existing rules and regulations. Unfortunately, because the regulators cannot be everywhere often the only way we find out that the rules and regulations are not being followed is when there is a disaster. Oil pipelines burst and release hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into the environment because the pipeline owner failed to inspect the pipe on a timely basis. Hazardous wastes are piled up behind improperly built dikes that then collapse and dump that waste into the water. Hazardous waste is improperly, and illegally, dumped and ground water is polluted. Hydraulic fracturing puts hazardous materials into the ground water and when peoples water source becomes unusable the drillers, and regulators, tell us that hydraulic fracturing is not the cause. kimmq is kimmsr