FROM THE ARCHIVE

EPA to conduct new arsenic study

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APRIL 19, 2001

Although the National Academy of Sciences has previously concluded there is "sufficient evidence" to link arsenic in drinking water to cancer, the Bush administration on Wednesday said it will conduct an expedited study on the issue after it revoked a strict standard finalized by President Clinton.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman said a standard of three parts per billion to 20 parts per billion will now be considered with the expectation of a February 2002 effective date. Last month, she put the brakes on implementation of a 10 ppb standard instituted before Clinton left office.

Arsenic can cause bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause liver and kidney cancer, according to a 1999 study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences. The report, however, did not provide a formal risk assessment of arsenic in drinking water.

The need for additional studies was cited by the Bush administration as a reason for halting the Clinton standard. The current accepted level is 50 ppb, set in 1942.

But economic concerns, as well as lobbying from industry groups who are among the largest producers of arsenic in water, were also factors in the decision. Coal companies in January began pushing the new administration to re-evaluate the standard.

"Many smaller water systems and the communities they serve may have to absorb additional costs to meet the new standard," Whitman said yesterday. "We want to make sure those costs are fair and fully justified."

Whitman's announcement comes at a conspicuous time. In advance of Earth Day, the administration has made several announcements that it will move forward with a number of environmental initiatives instead of challenging them.

The White House, however, is denying the President is trying to sell himself as environmentally-concious in light of widespread criticism on the issue. Press spokesperson Ari Fleischer said simply: "The President is not concerned about his image, the President is concerned about results."

Whatever the results are, they are already being doubted. Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) yesterday said he welcomed the EPA decision but questioned why Whitman was limiting its study.

"Quite frankly, limiting the review to the 3 to 20 ppb range concerns me," said Domenici. "Do we really know right now an optimum safe standard, based on the best science and still affordable, won't actually be some level above 20 ppb?"

"It's time to move beyond the scare tactics that would have us believe anyone is promoting Agatha Christie-like levels of arsenic in our drinking water," he added.

Domenici cited a cost of at least $400 million to update water systems in the state to meet a stricter standard than currently exists.

Arsenic levels in New Mexico, however, are no mystery. Levels in the Rio Grande in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, metro-area are among the highest in the country, ranging from 2 ppb to 40 ppb.

At Isleta Pueblo, south of Albuquerque, the standard is of particular importance. The Pueblo already has succeeded in forcing the city to adopt tough clean water standards because tribal members use the water for ceremonial purposes, and supports an even lower standard than 50 ppb.

The EPA is required by 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act to propose an arsenic standard. Once a new one is announced, communities would have to comply by 2006.

Get the National Academy of Sciences Report:
Arsenic in Drinking Water (1999)

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