US Government Accountability Office Agrees to Investigate EPA Actions at Hamilton WR Grace/Zonolite Plant

US Government Accountability Office Agrees to Investigate EPA Actions at Hamilton WR Grace/Zonolite Plant
April 25, 2005

(Washington, DC) - The premier US agency charged with investigating government procedures, mistakes and general policy implications has agreed to Rep. Chris Smith's (R-Hamilton) request for a comprehensive examination of the actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency in response to the discovery of asbestos at the site of the former W.R. Grace/Zonolite plant in Hamilton, New Jersey.

"As the investigative arm of the US Congress, the GAO has a record of success in identifying government problems, fostering corrective action and holding responsible parties accountable to the taxpayer," said Smith who has pushed for greater responsiveness and transparency from federal and state officials overseeing the testing and cleanup of the site.

"The GAO's decision to focus resources and deploy a team of experts to evaluate the procedures used to address the health and safety of former workers and local residents possibly exposed to asbestos will help ensure that the best methods are used in the future and that our community receives the highest level of performance and care from the federal agencies charged with environmental health and safety," said Smith.

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http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj04_smith/prhamiltonacceptsgao.html