Frank Lautenberg: “at this moment, though the hour is late, and I apologize to those who are inconvenienced while I make my remarks, this…”

“at this moment, though the hour is late, and I apologize to those who are inconvenienced while I make my remarks, this is a topic of great importance to me and my home State of New Jersey, and a number of communities across the country--that is, the cleanup of toxic waste. Mr. President, 73 million Americans live near toxic waste sites. That is about one of every four of our citizens. Many people think of hazardous waste as a problem of ugly dump sites that harm a community's appearance and property values. But it is far more than that, Mr. President. Toxic waste is a huge threat to public health. By contaminating our drinking water, our air and our soil, dangerous waste contributes to a wide range of health problems, and these include cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular problems, immune disorders, and even something as simple and obvious as dermatitis. Now, Mr. President, it is difficult to say how many people are harmed because of exposure to toxic waste. But the number is considerable. Unfortunately, New Jersey, where there are more Superfund sites than any other State, is being hit especially hard. Recent studies found that in all but one of New Jersey's 21 counties, cancer rates and areas around hazardous waste sites exceeded the national average. Studies from other parts of the country also suggest that those living near toxic waste sites have suffered disproportionately from serious health problems.”