[CPEO-MEF] Senators introduce perchlorate legislation

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Press Release of Senator Boxer
Thursday, January 4, 2007

Senators Work to Protect Americans from Perchlorate


Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), incoming Chairman 
of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today 
introduced two bills that will help protect the American public from 
drinking water contaminated by the toxic chemical perchlorate. Senator 
Boxer was joined in introducing the bills by Senators Dianne Feinstein 
(D-CA) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Lautenberg is the incoming Chairman 
of the water quality subcommittee.

“We must do everything within our power to make drinking water safe for 
every American family,” Senator Boxer said. “Perchlorate threatens the 
health of those most vulnerable, and these bills will go a long way 
toward protecting them.”

"Serious questions have been raised about the health risks of 
perchlorate-contaminated water, particularly for pregnant women and 
children,” Senator Feinstein said. “The EPA has a fundamental 
responsibility to provide American families in California and across the 
country with the peace of mind that the water they drink is safe. And I 
think all parents would agree that they have a right to know whether 
their children are drinking water contaminated by perchlorate. That’s 
why it’s crucial that the EPA continue to test for perchlorate, to alert 
residents to the health risks when their drinking water supply has been 
contaminated, and to establish a clean-up standard."

"Rocket fuel should be reserved for rockets, not our nation's drinking 
water," said Senator Lautenberg. "The Bush administration has failed to 
protect the public's drinking water and warn people of potential health 
threats. This legislation is an important step forward to provide 
Americans with the health protections they demand."

Perchlorate is found in the drinking water supplies of over 20 million 
Americans and particularly threatens pregnant women, infants and 
children. It comes from rocket fuel and other sources and has polluted 
at least 35 states. Yet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 
thus far refused to set a standard for safe perchlorate levels in 
drinking water.

The first of the two bills introduced today would direct EPA to promptly 
establish a health advisory, followed by a drinking water standard, for 
perchlorate. The standard would have to protect the health of pregnant 
women and children. The second bill would assure that tap water is 
tested for perchlorate and that the public be notified when drinking 
water is contaminated.

For the original press release, go to
http://www.boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=267210

--
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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