A fax regarding the Toxic Right to Know ballot measure sent to its members by the Eugene Association of Realtors (EAR) contained blatantly false information according to proponents, who called for a public correction of the misinformation.

The fax stated that the measure would require "all businesses" to report the use and release of substances such as "household bleach, drain cleaner, and other cleaning agents."

What the initiative requires is a report of substances listed under federal and state laws as hazardous chemicals, and it requires only large manufacturers using large amounts of toxics to report. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are exempt, those with annual inputs of less than 2,640 pounds of toxic substances are exempt, and retail stores are exempt.

The fax also claimed in large letters, "This is a NO GROWTH issue," a phrase geared to galvanize the attention of many realtors. In a letter to EAR president Dave Carlson, Toxic Right to Know Co-chairs Jenifer Gleason and Steve Johnson responded, "This is not a growth issue. This is about information. This is about people's right to know what is in the air they breathe and the water they drink. This is about knowing what chemicals come into our backyards. Labels such as 'no growth' do not serve to educate voters or advance a constructive debate in Eugene."