Good Morning Neighbor:
I find it so odd that there is a hearing of the CDCs ATSDR today - a panel to which I serve - that I was not informed about. I found out about it by one of our neighbors in Athens, Georgia. Please take the time to watch it online - it should be interesting! I continue to challenge the Chemical Emergencies group with regard to the realities of how an actual chemical emergency plays out. My greatest hope at this point is to impact the redesign of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - this sheet follows any chemical to its destination (you can see them hanging in Home Depot near chemicals being stored). However, this sheet is greatly lacking in guiding the safety of the community should there be a spill. There should also be a creation of chemical command center that is notified as soon as a spill is detected and their contact number should be located on that sheet. This command center would be staffed with learned people who know how to connect workers, responders and community members with immediate help.
Lastly, I must say something about the chemical emergency in the Gulf. It is sad to say but it is the exact scenario that played out here with PSC. Government allowing industry to police themselves. Government working only as a permitting agency and thereby gaining an income from those permits. The community now finds out they were not protected all along. I am greatly concerned about the the oil in the Gulf Stream - testifying researcher said that the spill could be 20 times worse than they state and we know from our experience this will be the case. We should all be vigilant to see how we can help these long-term devastated communities.
Your neighbor,
Connie
(NEW EMAIL ADDRESS - environmentalneighbor@gmail.com
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science & Technology Subcommittee on Investigations & Oversight is having another hearing tomorrow.
HEARING CHARTER
Preventing Harm – Protecting Health:
Reforming CDC's Environmental Public Health Practices
Thursday, May 20, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
You will be able to watch hearing live 9:00 – 11:00 EST
Constance Biemiller Thomas, Chair
South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force
Ph. -770-314-6999
As Margaret Mead once said:
Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
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