E.P.A. Looks for Comments on its Reevaluation of the Chemical Perchlorate

WASHINGTON - E.P.A. Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced that the agency is taking an important step to ensure children's health is taken into account when evaluating the chemical perchlorate. To enhance transparency, the agency is seeking public review on its re-evaluation of the scientific information on perchlorate in drinking water. Under the previous administration, E.P.A. made a preliminary decision not to regulate perchlorate. Administrator Jackson directed E.P.A. staff to review that decision and, as part of that review, the agency is putting special emphasis on evaluating the impact of perchlorate on infants and young children.

"It is critically important to protect sensitive populations, particularly infants and young children, from perchlorate in drinking water," said E.P.A. Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "As we re-evaluate the science around perchlorate, we will seek public input before making a regulatory determination based on the best science."

The analysis presented in the notice announced today more directly evaluates children's exposure to perchlorate. This step takes into account the fact that infants and children consume more water per body weight than do adults. E.P.A. is now considering a broader range of alternatives for interpreting the accessible data on the level of health concern, the frequency of occurrence of perchlorate in drinking water, and the opportunity for health risk reduction through a national primary drinking water standard. These alternative interpretations may impact the agency's final regulatory determination for perchlorate.

In response to a 2008 preliminary determination not to regulate perchlorate, E.P.A. received and reviewed comments from in excess of 32,000 individuals and organizations. E.P.A. will consider those comments, as well as new comments received during the 30-day review period on the current notice, before making a final decision on whether to regulate perchlorate under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made chemical. Perchlorate is used in the manufacture of fireworks, flares and solid rocket propellant.

The current notice will be accessible for public review 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/unregulated/perchlorate.html

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