[CPEO-MEF] Massachusetts perchlorate letter

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

On Monday, March 14, Robert W. Golledge, Jr., Commissioner of the 
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, sent a letter to 
U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator Benjamin Grumbles about the state's 
efforts to address perchlorate contamination.

In the letter, Commissioner Golledge stated, "To date, we have not been 
presented with compelling or persuasive data that would cause us to vary 
significantly from the 1 ppb [part per billion] health advisory that was 
issued by the Department. I intend to propose standards that will 
protect the health of sensitive populations."

I have re-keyed Golledge's recommendations to EPA, below:

"More information needs to be gathered about the health effects of 
perchlorate. EPA and other federal agencies should expand the current 
knowledge base by conducting and funding additional studies. Until more 
is known, a cautious approach should be taken to ensure that sensitive 
populations are not put at risk.

"I suggest that EPA should encourage or require broader testing of 
public water supplies for the presence of perchlorate nationwide. I 
suspect that Massachusetts' experience with perchlorate is not unique, 
which could mean that large numbers of people are unknowingly ingesting 
water with perchlorate at much higher levels than previously assumed.

"I strongly encourage EPA to undergo a public review and comment period 
prior to taking any further action on perchlorate. I welcome the 
opportunity to discuss this matter with you in greater detail at your 
convenience."

LS
--
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
http://www.cpeo.org

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