[CPEO-MEF] Solis introduces perchlorate mandate

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Press Release
Congresswoman Hilda Solis
March 28, 2007

SOLIS INTRODUCES BILL TO SET NATIONAL DRINKING WATER STANDARD FOR 
PERCHLORATE 	

Washington, D.C. -  Today, Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), Vice 
Chair of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, 
introduced the Safe Drinking Water for Healthy Communities Act of 2007. 
 This legislation will require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
to establish a national standard for drinking water for perchlorate (a 
component of rocket fuel).

"It is unacceptable that our country does not have an enforceable, 
protective public health standard to ensure our drinking water is safe 
from perchlorate," said Solis. "This bill will establish accountability 
and, most importantly, protect the health of our vulnerable populations 
including pregnant women and children, and secure water supplies."

Perchlorate is an ingredient in rocket fuel, 90 percent of which is 
produced for use by the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA. It is 
extremely soluble and has been found in drinking water, food, 
groundwater, irrigation water, soil and human breast milk. Since 1997, 
456 drinking water sources in California have been found with 
perchlorate contamination, including more than 100 in Los Angeles County.

Perchlorate presents a risk to human health in vulnerable populations, 
including pregnant women and children, as it blocks the ability of the 
thyroid to absorb iodine. Absorbing iodine is necessary for normal human 
health and development. In October, 2006, the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention found significant changes in thyroid hormone 
levels in humans who were exposed to perchlorate and concluded that 
perchlorate exposure appears to be widespread.

Unfortunately, the DOD has refused to clean up perchlorate contamination 
and the EPA has historically failed to exercise its authority to require 
the DOD to address contamination at its facilities.

"For far too long the DOD has run roughshod over our nation's public 
health and environmental laws," said Solis. "Congress should not succumb 
to the lobbying efforts of the DOD, but should instead defend the public 
health of our communities. I am proud that this legislation is a step in 
that direction."

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and Environmental Working 
Group expressed support for this legislation upon introduction.

...

For the original release, see
http://solis.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca32_solis/wida2/percholorate.shtml


--


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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