Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today made the following remarks regarding a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found perchlorate in commercially available brands of powdered infant formulas. Perchlorate is a toxic component of rocket fuel and is particularly threatening to pregnant women, infants and children.
Senator Boxer said: "I am extremely concerned about this new study and I am asking that two federal agencies step up their efforts to protect our children from perchlorate.
The FDA should immediately inform the public on how best to protect children from perchlorate contamination in powdered infant formula.
In addition, the EPA should overrule the Bush Administration's policy which was to walk away from setting a safe drinking water standard for perchlorate in our water supply. EPA should also ensure that drinking water is tested for this dangerous contaminant.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson committed to address the threat posed by perchlorate in drinking water at her confirmation hearing, and I believe she will."
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