March 5, 2012 -- Health experts often say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; could the same be said of pollution?

That seems to be the thinking behind revisions of environmental toxic standards underway throughout the Northwest. These revisions include broad policy approaches, like a toxics reduction strategy currently out for public comment in Oregon, and more targeted initiatives, such as standards adopted late last year that make the state a model when it comes to water quality and human health.