Toxic dumping law gets legal challenge

How much pollution can industry release into the environment without telling local residents? The US Environmental Protection Agency relaxed the law last year, but looks likely to toughen it up again after a high-profile lawsuit was filed in protest last week.

Until recently, US companies had to declare emissions of 230 kilograms or more per year, but last December the EPA increased this threshold tenfold. Twelve US states are now suing the agency to contest the hike.