[CPEO-MEF] PERCHLORATE: New Jersey delays standard

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
March 16, 2010
	

DEP DELAYS ADOPTING PERCHLORATE STANDARD PENDING FEDERAL DIRECTION

TRENTON - The Department of Environmental Protection today delayed 
adopting a drinking water standard for the chemical perchlorate, saying 
New Jersey should act after the federal government completes its 
comprehensive scientific analysis and makes its determinations on a 
national health-based standard.

Today was the deadline for DEP Acting Commissioner Bob Martin to sign 
proposed regulations that would have set a perchlorate standard of 5 
parts per billion for New Jersey's water providers. The rule proposed 
that public water systems test for perchlorate and install treatment 
systems if levels exceed this standard.

"I carefully weighed all the scientific evidence and potential economic 
impacts, and discussed this at great length with the experts at the 
federal Environmental Protection Agency as well as DEP's experts," 
Commissioner Martin said. "I simply was not convinced that we had the 
most complete data on what the appropriate levels should be, given the 
fact that the EPA will be deciding whether to regulate perchlorate and 
at what level this summer. The EPA has the most up-to-date scientific 
information. We want to avail ourselves of the significant science 
emerging at the national level, so I decided to wait and get this 
decision right. Once we have all the data, a decision will be made."

The EPA has been studying the issue of drinking water standards for 
perchlorate for a number of years, gathering public input and working 
with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council. 
The EPA is considering standards for perchlorate ranging from 15 parts 
per billion to as low as 2 parts per billion.

The EPA currently has a guidance protocol that allows water suppliers to 
sample for perchlorate. This protocol recommends suppliers treat for 
perchlorate if levels are 15 parts per billion or higher

The DEP is performing studies to track down possible sources of the 
chemical in the environment. Most perchlorate manufactured in this 
country was used as an ingredient in solid fuel for rockets and 
missiles. Perchlorate-based chemicals are also used in safety flares, 
fireworks, matches and some lubricating oils. It is also found in some 
fertilizers.

New Jersey's proposed rule would have also required owners of properties 
with private wells to add perchlorate to the list of contaminants they 
must test for during real estate transactions as required by state law.

###


For the original news release, go to
http://www.state.nj.us/dep//newsrel/2010/10_0017.htm

--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
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



_______________________________________________
Military mailing list
Military@lists.cpeo.org
http://lists.cpeo.org/listinfo.cgi/military-cpeo.org