Bergen Dispatch - Gottheimer Calls for Testing Drinking Water in All Public Schools; EPA Standards for Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Water Wells

News Article

By Paul Nichols

Josh Gottheimer, candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 5th district, came out strongly today for strict drinking water safeguards to protect the health and safety of children and families.

Gottheimer, who was joined by his wife, Marla, several concerned parents, and Ed Potosnak of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, called for testing of drinking water for lead contamination to begin immediately in every public school and for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to quickly set safety standards for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), known carcinogens increasingly found in the drinking water of local communities.

Gottheimer also received the endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund for his commitment to protecting the environment and clean water.

"The recent issues we've been reading about in local papers -- some catalyzed by the awful situation in Flint, Michigan -- have made one thing crystal clear: When it comes to the safety and security of the water our children and families drink and bathe it -- the facts are shockingly murky," said Gottheimer. "When it comes to lead, PFOAs, and other toxic chemicals, we need to figure out what's going on in the school water fountains and in our water wells supplying our homes and businesses -- and we need to do so right now."

Gottheimer outlined a plan he said was necessary to protect children and families from toxic chemicals including lead, PFOAs and PFOSs found increasingly at elevated levels in the drinking water of several towns in Northern New Jersey.

"First, I'm calling for lead testing immediately in every public grammar, middle and high school," continued Gottheimer. "Second, beyond lead, I call on the EPA to immediately set safety standards for PFOAs and PFOSs -- known carcinogens -- that are increasingly found in the water in many of our communities. In the end, the EPA needs to set clear safety standards and explain to communities like ours the best steps to get rid of PFOAs from the water our families are drinking and showering in."

Gottheimer said his plan would be cost-effective. Recent estimates peg the cost of testing at about $1,200 per school, or about $200,000 total in the 5th Congressional district. He said the EPA should use its emergency funds to help cover the costs through their Emergency Community Water Assistance grants.

"These are our hard-earned taxpayer dollars that are already in place. We just need a congressman that's willing to go get them back to protect our children."

Currently, there is no state or federal law that requires schools to test their drinking water for lead contamination. Gottheimer said that this was a significant issue because water could pick up lead from pipes, faucets and water fountains after passing tests at the plant level. Exposure to lead is known to cause severe health problems, including decreased IQ, learning disabilities, brain damage, seizures, poor muscle coordination, and speech and language difficulties.

Another harmful chemical found in local drinking water is PFOAs. Once commonly used in a wide-range of products from nonstick pans to microwave popcorn bags, manufactures have agreed to stop using PFOAs because it has been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, pregnancy-induced hypertension and probable links to low birth weight and decreased immune responses.

In 2013, the EPA detected elevated level of PFOA in 14 drinking water systems including Fair Lawn and Ridgewood Water, which supplies drinking water to 60,000 people in Glen Rock, Midland Park, Ridgewood and Wyckoff.

Gottheimer said that local communities needed better guidance from the EPA. While the chemical is considered dangerous in even very small traces, there is no clearly defined safety standard. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health suggested in a recent scientific journal suggested that PFOA water standards should be as low as .001 parts per billion, which is 40 times lower than NJ's standard, which is .04, and 400 times lower than the current federal advisory standard.

Gottheimer took Tea Party extremist Scott Garrett to task for his abysmal record on clean water safeguards and the environment, risking the health and safety of 5th district families and children.

"Frankly, when it comes to protecting our children and families from lead and other chemicals in our drinking water, Garrett's record is nothing but toxic," said Gottheimer.

"So, this time around, I hope that Scott Garrett will change his mind, stop fighting for the Tea Party, and start standing up for us," continued Gottheimer. "Despite all the tax dollars we send to Washington, Garrett refuses to bring any of it back for our communities. The Garrett Tax has been crushing our communities. For less than the cost of one of Garrett's taxpayer funded pieces of mail he sends to our homes, we can test all of the schools in our district."

New Jersey LCV Executive Director Ed Potosnak applauded Gottheimer's commitment to protecting the environment and clean water.

"I am proud to be here today supporting Josh Gottheimer. He has made it clear that one of his top priorities is protecting our natural resources, clean air, and safe drinking water for communities in the 5th congressional district, the state, and the country," said Potosnak. "Thankfully, I can say with confidence, this news only strengthens Josh's resolve and commitment to finding commonsense solutions to protecting our open space, air, and waterways."

Garrett has one of the worst environmental records and anti-clean water records in all of Congress:

After 13 years in Washington, Scott Garrett has earned a lifetime 9% score from the League of Conservation Voters, and just 3% score in 2015.

Garrett has earned zero percent lifetime scores from Clean Water Action, Environment America and the Sierra Club for his consistent record opposing safeguards for clean water.

In January 2016, Garrett voted for a resolution to permanently block the EPA and Army Corps' Clean Water Rule. [S J RES 22, Roll call vote #45, 1/13/2016]

In 2015, Garrett voted against legislation to help prevent contamination of groundwater that would have helped protect water sources. [HR 1734, Vote #457, 7/22/15; CQ Floor Votes, 7/22/15]

In July 2015, he voted against requiring hazardous waste sites to follow groundwater monitoring standards. And then he voted against protections for America's waterways that would ensure safe drinking water. [HR 1734, Vote #457, 7/22/15; CQ Floor Votes, 7/22/15]

In 2011, Garrett voted to undermine the Clean Water Act and strip the EPA of its authority to manage and enforce the standards set by states for their drinking water quality. [HR 2018, Vote #572, #573, 7/13/11]

Garrett voted to block regulations to reduce emissions of pollutants from coal-fired power plants by the Environment Protection Agency. [HR 1734, Vote #455, 7/22/15; CQ Floor Votes, 7/22/15]

In 2007, Garrett voted against a bill to prevent clean air laws from being rolled back to protect polluters.

Garrett opposed the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. [HR 1262, Vote #123, 3/12/09]

In 2005, Garrett voted twice against increasing funding for the Clean Water Fund. [HR 2361, Vote #198, 5/19/05] [HR 2361, Vote #194, 5/19/05]

In 2005, Garrett voted to protect companies responsible for gasoline-additive MTBE water contamination. [HR 6, Vote #129, 4/21/05]

Source