EPA – “Let Them Drink Lead”

As you may recall from my column of January 25, a group of 25 Virginia Tech researchers led by Dr. Marc Edwards (an expert on water quality) was vital in exposing the crisis in Flint, Michigan in which the water has been shown to have been contaminated with lead, a harmful neurotoxin, all while the state of Michigan, overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), acted publicly as if nothing were wrong.

Last week, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held the first congressional hearing on the matter.  Dr. Edwards served as a witness at this hearing, and Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) was kind enough to allow me to participate, though I am not a member of this committee.

As Dr. Edwards’ written testimony reports, “The very agencies paid to protect us, not only failed to do so, but also revealed their callous indifference to the plight of our most vulnerable.”  He blames “Institutional Scientific Misconduct perpetrated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. [EPA], primary agencies and water utilities.”

Dr. Edwards further reports, “Clearly, we do not have adequate checks and balances on the power of these agencies, nor do we hold them accountable for their unethical actions.”

My office contacted Dr. Edwards and one of his colleagues, and was told that under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), utilities are only required to take one 1 liter sample at each home.  Though not specified in the LCR, we are told that for more accuracy, these samples should be taken with no pre-flushing, with large-mouth bottles, and with aerators in place during sampling.  Not following these steps reportedly results in common manipulations that minimize the detection of lead in drinking water.

Further, we are told that Dr. Edwards uses a 3 sequential sample protocol.  He collects the first flush sample as is required by the LCR, then a second sample in order to get water that has sat in the service line, and, finally, a third sample to indicate lead levels after the lines have been flushed.  These steps, which aren’t required under the LCR, reportedly are more informative.

At the hearing, I asked Dr. Edwards to let me know if he knew of any problems in our area.  He indicated he would.  If you have concerns, I recommend you contact your local water company and ask if they follow the protocols detailed above.

Congressman Morgan Griffith

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.

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