[CPEO-MEF] Defense Bill requires perchlorate study

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Section 323 of the Fiscal Year 2004 Defense Authorization Act directs
the Defense Department to sponsor an "independent epidemiological study
of exposure to perchlorate in  drinking water" and "an independent
review of the effects of perchlorate on the human endocrine system."

Though I remain uncomfortable that the epidemiological study relies upon
pregnant women and babies continuing to drink contaminated water,
experts from other environmental public interests groups point out that
the study will not increase exposures, and they suggest that the public
health research system contains suitable safeguards to protect the
subjects of the study.

The fully formatted language appears on pages 77-78 of the PDF file
downloadable from http://www.house.gov/rules/H1588_CR.PDF. I have pasted
a text version below.

Lenny Siegel

***

SEC. 323. PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE  TO PERCHLORATE.  

(a) EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF EXPOSURE TO PERCHLORATE. - The Secretary of
Defense shall provide for an  independent epidemiological study of
exposure to perchlorate in  drinking water. The entity conducting the
study shall -   

(1) assess the incidence of thyroid disease and measurable effects of
thyroid function in relation to exposure to  perchlorate;  

(2) ensure that the study is of sufficient scope and  scale to permit
the making of meaningful conclusions of the  measurable public health
threat associated with exposure to  perchlorate, especially the threat
to sensitive subpopulations; and  

(3) examine thyroid function, including measurements  of urinary iodine
and thyroid hormone levels, in a sufficient  number of pregnant women,
neonates, and infants exposed  to perchlorate in drinking water and
match measurements  of perchlorate levels in the drinking water of each
study  participant in order to permit the development of meaningful
conclusions on the public health threat to individuals exposed to
perchlorate.  

(b) REVIEW OF EFFECTS OF PERCHLORATE ON ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. - The
Secretary shall provide for an independent review of the effects of
perchlorate on the human endocrine system. The entity conducting the
review shall assess -   

(1) available data on human exposure to perchlorate,  including clinical
data and data on exposure of sensitive  subpopulations, and the levels
at which health effects were  observed; and  

(2) available data on other substances that have endocrine effects
similar to perchlorate to which the public is  frequently exposed.  

(c) PERFORMANCE OF STUDY AND REVIEW. - 

(1) The Secretary shall provide for the performance of the study under 
subsection (a) through the Centers for Disease Control, the National
Institutes of Health, or another Federal entity with experience in
environmental toxicology selected by the Secretary.  

(2) The Secretary shall provide for the performance of the  review under
subsection (b) through the Centers for Disease  Control, the National
Institutes of Health, or another appropriate Federal research entity
with experience in human endocrinology selected by the Secretary. The
Secretary shall ensure  that the panel conducting the review is composed
of individuals  with expertise in human endocrinology.  

(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. - Not later than June 1,  2005, the Federal
entities conducting the study and review  under this section shall
submit to the Secretary reports containing the results of the study and
review.   

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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