Barbara Boxer: “this goes to the quality of the air. We have learned so much after what happened on 9/11. When we have this type of a…”

“this goes to the quality of the air. We have learned so much after what happened on 9/11. When we have this type of a fire, if we could look at this smoke here--I have another picture to show. Look at this black smoke just headed right toward these homes. We know there are pollutants we don't really monitor on a daily basis that are getting into people's lungs. I will mention some of these: Benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, asbestos, ethylene, glycol. Those are just a few. The effects of these could be devastating: Premature death, cardiovascular illness, neurological disorder, respiratory problems, and cancer. One atmospheric scientist described it in the L.A. Times this way: When they burn, these homes and businesses are mini toxic waste dumps. This is the quality of the air we are seeing here. In San Diego, every single school has been closed because it is too dangerous for the children to go outside their homes. They are telling the elderly to stay inside with their windows and doors closed. We know the elderly and the children are the most vulnerable to the effects of pollution. I believe we must ensure that the public knows which pollutants they are being exposed to. Today they would not know. My amendment will solve that problem.”