William R. Richardson: “I commend her consideration of this very pressing matter. Since at least 2002, we've known that a wide variety of…”

“I commend her consideration of this very pressing matter. Since at least 2002, we've known that a wide variety of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and others such as fire retardants, are ending up in our Nation's water. More recently, the Associated Press found that the drinking water supplies of 24 of 28 municipalities tested had pharmaceuticals present. While the levels of these largely unregulated chemicals are low, their presence raises a number of troubling issues such as the long-term human health impacts on adults and any different impacts on children. It is fair to ask how do these pollutants get into our streams and drinking water supplies in the first place. I understand that the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment may further this issue over the upcoming months and examine it in great detail with you. I look forward to working with the gentlewoman from New York and other Members who have raised concerns about these reports on pharmaceuticals and other chemicals in our Nation's water.”