On the recordJanuary 9, 2020
As we went through the TSCA debate, one thing I learned was exposure over time of the hazard equals the risk. {time} 1915 Sometimes, we conflate a bad chemical as risk unless you can protect it from exposure. That is why I have been focusing on the 7,866 chemicals. That is why I am talking about the PFAS that might be in a hockey puck but not in the bloodstream. But this bill says that everything is going to be labeled as a hazardous waste and followed up on Superfund. The contrary argument is: Great, put it in the Superfund. When will that get cleaned up? If it is in Ellison Air Force Base, Alaska, 30 years, and it is still not cleaned up. Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, Arizona, 30 years, and it is still not cleaned up. Castle Air Force Base, Merced, California, 32 years, and it is still not cleaned up. Dover Air Force Base, 30 years, and it is still not cleaned up. Central Landfill in Johnston, Rhode Island, 33 years, and it is still not cleaned up. Walsh Landfill, Honey Brook Township, Pennsylvania, Superfund site, 35 years, and it is still not cleaned up. Colbert, what we have is 35 years of litigation. I like that red map that they are touting out here on this bill. That red map indicates trial lawyer action in all those States because most of the Superfund money goes to litigation. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining? The CHAIR. The gentleman from Illinois has 10 minutes remaining.
