Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 1.25.16

Statement

I have been following with great sadness the crisis in Flint, Michigan in which the water has been shown to have been contaminated with lead, a powerful neurotoxin that is very harmful, particularly to developing children. The work of a group of 25 Virginia Tech researchers, led by professor Marc Edwards (a known expert on municipal water quality) was vital in exposing this crisis.

In fact, the Roanoke Times reports "The team spent almost $150,000 of Edwards' discretionary research funds he earned from consulting and his personal money" on their work, all because it was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) initially pushed back on their work. Emails released through the Freedom of Information Act indicate that "…officials worked together to make sure testing would come back to rule that water was safe under EPA guidelines in Flint…" Additionally, "As Tech researchers released their Flint water system findings -- which contradicted those of the DEQ and EPA -- they were ridiculed by the environmental agencies."

Though it was difficult to be ignored, Tech researchers kept on. And as the result of their efforts, the public is now aware of and horrified by lead poisoning in Flint.

I commend those on the Virginia Tech Flint Water Study Team for their determination and hard work.

I also can't help but to encourage those at the EPA to redirect their focus from constantly developing new regulations aimed at what they project may happen 50 years from now to paying attention to real, immediate problems in the world such as this situation in Flint.

Source