2006 CPEO Military List Archive

From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
Date: 15 Mar 2006 02:23:04 -0000
Reply: cpeo-military
Subject: [CPEO-MEF] MassDEP Proposes 2 parts per billion perchlorate standard
 
For Release:
March 14, 2006
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

MassDEP Proposes First-In-The-Nation Drinking Water and Cleanup Standards of 2 ppb for the Chemical Perchlorate
Public Hearings to be Held in April; Comment Period Closes May 12


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today released the first-in-the-nation drinking water and waste site cleanup standards of 2 ppb for the chemical perchlorate, which has been found in drinking water sources at 10 locations across the state.

Environmental Affairs Secretary Stephen R. Pritchard and MassDEP Commissioner Robert W. Golledge Jr. announced the proposed regulations, saying that a public comment period will run from April 10 until May 12, and will include six public hearings at sites across the state, including the town of Bourne, where the first perchlorate detection was recorded.

The proposed standards will be protective of public health, especially for sensitive populations, such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and individuals with low levels of thyroid hormones. Perchlorate has been found to interfere with thyroid function, which could lead to impaired human development and metabolism. No federal standards regulating perchlorate levels in drinking water currently exist.

"Perchlorate is an emerging contaminant that has raised a red flag for environmental agencies and public health officials across the country," Secretary Pritchard said. "These proposed standards ensure that the water is safe to drink for all citizens of the Commonwealth, requiring regular monitoring for perchlorate into the future."

"Testing results from studies across the country have found perchlorate in many things, including water, food and milk," Commissioner Golledge said. "A perchlorate standard of 2 ppb provides the best overall protection of public health, while setting a cleanup standard that is feasible and attainable."

Perchlorate is a chemical that can be found in blasting agents, fireworks, military munitions, and other manufacturing processes, and can be generated in small amounts within existing water treatment processes.

The proposed regulations require parties responsible for perchlorate contamination to cleanup the contamination and for all drinking water supplies to contain no more than 2 ppb of perchlorate. The regulations also require regular testing for perchlorate in all public water systems.

MassDEP has proposed the 2 ppb standard based on a thorough review of the scientific data available on perchlorate, including analysis performed by independent scientists at the National Academy of Sciences. In setting the proposed perchlorate standard, MassDEP used long-standing protocols previously utilized in the setting of over 200 chemical standards for drinking water and for the cleanup of groundwater at waste sites.

Perchlorate was first detected in 2002 in the aquifer under the Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod, when it was found to be moving toward drinking water wells in the town of Bourne. In 2004, MassDEP required all drinking water systems in the state to test for the presence of perchlorate in their drinking water sources. Test results indicated perchlorate above the interim state advisory level at sites in Chesterfield, Southbridge, Hadley, Williamstown, Boxborough, Millbury, Westford, Boxford, Tewksbury and Westport, and those sites were required to take specific actions to address the contamination.

MassDEP will be seeking public comment on the proposed regulations between April 10 and May 12. Public hearings will be held on the following dates:

* April 10 - 5 p.m., Peebles Elementary School gymnasium, 70 Trowbridge Road, Bourne.
* April 11 - 3 p.m., MassDEP Boston Office, 1 Winter Street, 2nd floor conference room, Boston.
* April 19 - 4 p.m., MassDEP Northeast Regional Office, 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington.
* April 20 - 4 p.m., MassDEP Southeast Regional Office, 20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville.
* April 25 - 3 p.m., MassDEP Western Regional Office, 436 Dwight Street, Springfield.
* April 27 - 4 p.m., MassDEP Central Regional Office, 627 Main Street, Worcester.


Full copies of the proposed regulations are available on MassDEP's web site at:

http://mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/percinfo.htm.

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

###

For the original press release, see
http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/perchlorate.htm

--
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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