Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works this week on the need for federal standards on exposure to the chemical TCE.

Assemblywoman Donna LupardoAccording to WBNG News, Lupardo discussed the recommendations of an Assembly report she helped to create in 2006 called “Vapor Intrusion of Toxic Chemicals: An Emerging Public Health Concern.”

The report found that in developing its guideline for TCE, the New York State Department of Health made a number of choices that resulted in less protective regulations. Because of the confusing and often arbitrary state guidelines, Lupardo testified that the federal government should offer regulatory leadership on this issue.

The “Toxic Chemical Exposure (TCE) Reduction Act,” introduced by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Hurley), would provide a national primary drinking water regulation for TCE, and a reference concentration of TCE vapor that is protective of susceptible populations, along with important health advisories.