State is Moving on Perchlorate Standard
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Re “EPA Criticized on Contaminants Decision,” July 16: Perchlorate is a major concern for all Californians. The chemical, used in rocket fuel and explosives, pollutes groundwater near many current and former defense facilities, as well as some industrial sites. Southern California is especially affected.
The California Environmental Protection Agency is proceeding with testing, cleanup and the development of stringent perchlorate standards for the state’s water. By the end of 2003 our Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment will make official its advisory perchlorate public health goal. That will permit the California Department of Health Services to issue an enforceable perchlorate standard early next year.
We have asked the federal government to act regarding perchlorate here even if it waits elsewhere. In a recent meeting I held with the Pentagon, the Department of Defense committed to obeying all state laws and regulations regarding the chemical. This is a serious water-quality issue that California is moving quickly to solve.
Winston H. Hickox
Secretary, California
Environmental Protection
Agency, Sacramento
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