Right to Know

Right-to-know is viewed as the cornerstone of the toxics movement in the United States because its establishment provided the first distinct information to the public regarding the risks associated with toxics stored, emitted and disposed of. EHC developed and secured passage of the first Community Right-to-know in California which served as a model for state and federal legislation. Environmental organizations and community groups in Tijuana have determined that their goals of empowerment and pollution prevention can only be met with complete information regarding the risks in their communities. This can only be provided through a comprehensive and strictly enforced Right-To -Know program.

Everyone has the right to know what toxics are being used in their neighborhood and workplace. This information is crucial to seeking the reduction of industrial pollution. We demand the passage and enforcement of laws requiring businesses to report regularly what chemicals are being used and released into the environment and workplace.

Tijuana Communities Fight for the Right-to-Know

Ojo de Agua, Colonia El Florido Viejo:
Tijuana's largest illegal toxic waste dump

From 1987 to 1991 Alco Pacifico accumulated more than 30,000 tons of hazardous waste at the company's battery recycling operation. Lead, arsenic, antimony, and a host of other heavy metals contaminated the site, leaving a 15-foot high mount of slag when its U.S. owners abruptly went out of business and filed for bankruptcy.

"Workers are now removing the toxic soil, but with little or no protection for the workers or residents," remarks community activist Julia Villaseņor. "The community doesn't know how much its children's health has been damaged or if their own property has been contaminated. Since the government still refuses to deal with these issues, we are starting our own self-help education program, but will continue to push for long-term solutions."

Colonia Chilpancingo:
A community under toxic seige

Colonia Chilpancingo sits beneath the Mesa de Otay Industrial Park, home to more than 200 maquiladoras. Chemical wastes containing acids, solvents and heavy metals drain from the giant industrial complex into the residential community below. Huge yellow splotches dot the canyons where acids and other toxics have been dumped.

Maurilio Sanchez Pachuca, president of a local community group comments: "When maquiladoras and other industries first began to arrive, we were glad. We said to ourselves, 'there will be plenty of work close to our homes.' but to our surprise, streams of contaminated water surfaced from everywhere; our children began to get sick. No one could tell us why our children were getting sick. Now we are talking to every resident about their health problems and inviting them to join our fight to keep industrial pollution out of our colonia."

These two communities represent the health hazards that originated with the booming maquiladora industry and the problems and difficulties that arise from the lack of right-to-know laws. To counter the shameful legacy of the maquiladoras and fight for the right-to-know, we are organizing people from both sides of the border to achieve economic and social justice.