Both the public and state government are largely in the dark about what toxic chemicals are used in Vermont industry, says a report from a working group convened last year at the request of the Legislature.

To tell the public more about toxins in Vermont, the state first needs to gather that information, since state and federal oversight laws give regulators little data on the chemicals used in industry, the group says.

“The result of the current regulatory framework is that the potential threats to human health and the environment from chemicals in commerce are largely unknown to the state of Vermont,” says the report from what’s called the Act 154 chemical use working group.

“These substances can enter the air, groundwater, soils and surface water, and may pose a threat to human health and the environment,” the report says. But for the vast majority, the state knows little about their toxicity and use.

“This information is critical to enable the state to effectively respond to emergencies and threats posed by chemicals of emerging concern, and to prioritize limited resources to address those chemicals that pose the greatest risk to Vermonters,” the report says.

The report makes several suggestions intended to prevent situations like the contamination of drinking water in southwestern Vermont by perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA.