EPA Pesticide Program Update:
from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 10/22/01
**********************************************
IN THIS UPDATE:
1) NEW FACT SHEET AVAILABLE ON PERSISTENT
ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)
2) ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN ALLAYS FEARS FOR
WATER SECURITY; POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESSFUL
CONTAMINATION IS SMALL (Environmental News 10/18/2001)
**************************************************
1) NEW FACT SHEET AVAILABLE ON PERSISTENT
ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)
On May 23, 2001, the United States signed the Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at a diplomatic conference
in Stockholm, Sweden. Under the Convention, countries commit
to reduce and/or eliminate the production, use, and/or release of
the 12 POPs of greatest concern to the global community and to
establish a mechanism by which additional chemicals may be
added to the Treaty in the future. The United States strongly
supported efforts to complete this important agreement, which
will have wide-ranging environmental and health benefits. The
Officeof Pesticide Programs is releasing a new fact sheet that
provides information about the POPs agreement, and how the
United States is participating. Youcan find the fact sheet on
the Web atwww.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/pops.htm. To
obtain a hard copy ofthe fact sheet please call 703-305-5017.
***************************************************
2) ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN ALLAYS FEARS FOR
WATER SECURITY; POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESSFUL
CONTAMINATION IS SMALL (Environmental News 10/18/2001)
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today allayed fears for the
security of the nation's water systems during a visit to the
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Consolidated
Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland. She said EPA believes
the possibility of successful contamination of a watersystem is
small.
"As someone who drinks water at home from the tap -- as does
my family--this is a concern I certainly understand. People are
worried that a small amount of some chemical or biological agent
--a few drops, for instance--could result in significant threats to
the health of large numbers of people. I want to assure people--
that scenario just can't happen" said Whitman.
"It would take large amounts of contaminants to threaten the
safety of a city water system. Because of increased security
at water reservoirs and other facilities around the country--and
because people are being extra vigilant as well--we believe it
would be very difficult for anyone to introduce the quantities
needed to contaminate an entire system"
"For more than 80 years, our mission has been to supply safe,
clean water to our customers," said WSSC General Manager
John R. Griffin. "Since our nation's recent tragedies, we've
strengthened our already solid foundation of safety and
security measures. Our modern water quality laboratory
helps to ensure we fulfill that crucial mission."
The Administrator explained that systems already in place
for treating drinking water before it comes out of the tap will,
in many cases, remove the immediate threat to public health.
EPA has worked with partners like the Association of
Metropolitan Water Authorities, (AMWA), to make sure
water utilities receive information on the steps they can take
to protect their sources of supply and their infrastructure.
Diane van de Hei, Executive Director of AMWA , joined the
Administrator at the event.
In addition, Sandia National Laboratories is working with
EPA to develop training materials for water companies so
they can conduct thorough assessments of their vulnerable
points. Sandia representatives Robert Eagan,Vice President
Energy, Information and Infrastructure Surety Division and
Peter Davies, Director Geoscience & Environment Center, also
took part in the press conference.
"Several weeks ago I directed that these materials, originally
scheduled to become available next year, be put on a fast track.
I'm pleased to announce that training using these materials will
begin for water system operators early next month," Whitman
explained.
Another step EPA has taken to protect water systems was to
work with the FBI to advise every local law enforcement
agency in the country of steps they can take to help watch
for possible threats to water systems.
"In addition, later today, I will be holding a conference call
with governors from around the country to discuss how we
can help them and how they can support and enhance our
efforts," said Whitman.
The Administrator explained that despite small probabilities
and stepped-up prevention, there are no"iron-clad
guarantees." Should an attack succeed, EPA is ready to
respond immediately. "Our experts are ready to provide
guidance. Our federal labs are ready to provide analysis.
And our specialists are ready to assist in recovery," said
Whitman. "It's also important to remember that America's
water utilities are not interconnected"
**********************************************
EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates to external
stakeholders and citizens who have expressed an interest
in O.P. activities and decisions. We have established
an electronic list serve for people who want to keep abreast of
pesticide issues and decisions. This update service is part
of EPA's continuing effort to improve public access to
Federal pesticide information. To subscribe or unsubscribe
to our automatic mailing list, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/form/form.html
For general questions on pesticides and pesticide
poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at:
1-800-858-7378, by e-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu,
or by visiting their Web site at:
http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/
For information about ongoing activities in the
Office of Pesticide Programs, visit our homepage
at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides
Or call or write us directly at:
Communication Services Branch
Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2403
703-305-5017