What: A Congressional briefing entitled “Lead, PFCs and Other Threats to Safe Drinking Water”
When: Tuesday, December 5, 1:30 PM
Where: 122 Cannon House Office Building
Please join the Northeast-Midwest Institute, in coordination with Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), for a Congressional briefing on the threats posed by lead and perflurochemicals (PFCs) to our region’s drinking water, public health, and the economy. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) and Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-05) will deliver brief remarks.
Safe drinking water is under threat across the U.S. from legacy contaminants, found both within the water system itself and in the surrounding environment. Older infrastructure and denser communities make the Northeast and the Midwest especially vulnerable. For example, the Flint water crisis exposed a community to the toxic effects of lead in water, and resulted in other cities around the region discovering the extent of the problem in their own communities. The recent discovery of PFCs leaching out of industrial sites and military bases highlights the need for constant protection against threats to public health.
The panelists in this briefing will elaborate on the various threats to safe drinking water in the region, the extent of the issue, response from the government and affected communities, and changes needed in our policy to prevent future occurrences. Panelists will also discuss the issue of affordability as it relates to mitigation of these contaminants.
The list of speakers includes:
- Claire Barnett, Founder and Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network
- Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director, Environmental Defense Fund
- Alan Roberson, Executive Director, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
Moderating the panel will be Dr. Sridhar Vedachalam, Director of the Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program at NEMWI. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session with the panel.
For more information, please contact Sri Vedachalam, Director of the Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program, or Matthew McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.