Toxic chemicals from landfills – such as arsenic, lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chromium and cadmium – provide persistent exposure to anyone living nearby. Some of these chemicals have been found to cause everything from birth defects to cancer.

 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 11 million U.S. children reside within one mile of National Priorities List (NPL) Superfund sites – sites where they are uniquely vulnerable to the toxins that surround them. And recent cancer studies suggest that exposure to the toxins regularly found in Superfund landfills are likely suspects for the increase of birth defects and childhood cancer.

Americans are paying a heavy price for environmental pollution, in terms of lives, healthcare and cleanup costs. It's time for Congress to get serious about the deadly chemicals leaching out of Superfund sites, and stop caving to the special interests that avoid responsibility for this toxic pollution.

 

Let Americans stop paying for the mistakes made by corporate polluters!  I, have, therefore told the US Congress to support the Superfund Polluter Pays Act (H.R. 832), and ensure polluters – not taxpayers – pay for the cleanup of all Superfund sites as in the letter placed below:

 

"Dear   ,

Approximately 11 million U.S. children reside within one mile of a National Priorities List (NPL) Superfund site where they are uniquely vulnerable to the toxic chemicals found in these landfills. And recent cancer studies suggest that exposure to the toxins regularly found in Superfund landfills are likely suspects for the increase of birth defects and childhood malignancies.

That is why I urge you to support the Superfund Polluter Pays Act (H.R. 832), and ensure polluters -- not taxpayers -- pay for the cleanup of all Superfund sites.

Although mortality rates have improved, there has been a significant increase in childhood leukemia, brain cancer and testicular cancer; brain cancer has increased by 40 percent and testicular cancer in young men (15-29 years) has risen 68 percent.

For example, in Toms River, New Jersey -- the state that is home of the most sites (114) and some of the most toxic landfills in the country -- court documents revealed 69 families whose children were diagnosed with cancer from contaminated water from two Superfund sites. 15 children died. Although no liability was admitted, families were paid more than $13.3 million from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Union Carbide and United Water Toms River in 2002.

In 1995, Congress allowed the Superfund tax to expire. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now forced to pick and choose which projects to begin with the limited funds it receives each year through the appropriations process. And Superfund cleanups have been delayed in recent years due to a lack of funding.

Americans are paying a heavy price for environmental pollution, in terms of lives, healthcare and cleanup costs. It's time that we get serious about the deadly chemicals leaching out of Superfund sites.

Please support the Superfund Polluter Pays Act (H.R. 832), and hold corporate polluters responsible for cleaning up their own mistakes.

Sincerely,

 

Satbir Bedi"