The BE SAFE web site now offers several new resources stemming from the First National Conference on the Precautionary Principle, which brought together over 300 people and affirmed that precaution is a powerful unifying force that is changing the way policy is made in the U.S. Here are links to obtain Conference Proceedings, NEW Resource Guide on Precaution, Platforms on Precaution, and a summary of ideas for future precautionary organizing.

Problem: Often, people living around a factory can see or smell emissions, but when they complain they are told it’s all in their heads. The only way to be sure is to test air samples, but factory managers and regulatory agencies often refuse to test, or claim their own tests prove there are no problems. People know industrial smells are probably not “harmless” but they are often stymied by indifferent officials, corporate and governmental.

Solution: Citizens can now take their own air samples and have them tested for toxic pollution.