John Chafee: “the amendment has been cleared on this side. It is a good amendment and we are pleased to accept the amendment. As the…”

“the amendment has been cleared on this side. It is a good amendment and we are pleased to accept the amendment. As the author of the amendment has indicated, some of us are more susceptible to adverse health effects from drinking water than others. It may be a matter of age or because of a pre-existing illness or a difference in metabolism or because of other factors, but it appears that some Americans are more sensitive--more likely to experience an illness from drinking water contaminants--than others. The Safe Drinking Water Act already allows EPA to consider these differences. For example, EPA has set a standard for nitrate in drinking water designed to protect infants. Children younger than 6 months lack certain enzymes in their digestive system which break down nitrate. As a result the nitrate may enter the bloodstream and interfere with the blood's role in carrying oxygen. The illness is called blue baby disease. An infant with the disease turns blue for the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. The standard for nitrate set under the Safe Drinking Water Act is established to prevent this adverse effect. It is set to protect this specific subpopulation--children under 6 months of age. So, the law already fully authorizes the Administrator to set regulations intended to protect sensitive subpopulations.”