Washington, D.C. — Today Rep. Edward J. Markey (MA-07), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment commended the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking action to expand the list of chemicals it will test for their potential to disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates growth, metabolism and reproduction. With their announcement, for the first time EPA has exercised their discretionary authority to screen for chemicals that may be found in sources of drinking water and has prioritized 134 new chemicals to test for endocrine disruption, including those identified as priorities under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

“Today’s announcement from EPA is a tall drink of safe water and a positive step in the right direction for the program that makes sure we screen for chemicals that may be found in our drinking water. However, there is much more we can do to improve upon this testing program to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep the water we drink safe for the public.”

Earlier this year Rep. Markey introduced a bill (H.R. 5210) that made revisions to the existing EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program requiring the screening of chemicals found in our drinking water, and updating the testing requirements to create a more transparent program that relies on the latest science. That bill was incorporated into HR. 5320 the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2010 (the “AQUA Act”) which was reported out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a strong bipartisan vote of 45 to 1 and was subsequently passed by the House of Representatives by voice vote and referred to the Senate. The Senate has not yet taken up the bill.

“From chemicals used in everyday consumer products to those used for rocket fuel, there are many potentially dangerous substances that can find their way into our drinking water supply. I urge the Senate to act on the AQUA Act before the end of this year, to make the necessary improvements to the existing program.” 

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