09
LC 35 1122
House
Resolution 177
By:
Representatives Long of the
61st,
Davis of the
109th,
Jordan of the
77th,
Davis of the
122nd,
Bruce of the
64th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the House Study Committee on the Airborne Release of Pentachlorophenol and its
Effects on the Health of Georgia Residents; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
pentachlorophenol is devastating to human health and the environment and has
been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a carcinogen (B2
cancer causing substance) that includes tumors, Hodgkin's disease, soft tissue
sarcoma, and acute leukemia; and
WHEREAS,
it is well documented that exposure to pentachlorophenol damages the liver,
kidneys, thyroid, and brain and has been linked to the impairment of the immune
system, central nervous system, birth defects, respiratory illness, and cancer;
and
WHEREAS,
many factors increase children's susceptibility to the toxic effects of this
chemical and Georgia's children are at a much higher risk than adults of being
poisoned or suffering ill health effects from exposure to pentachlorophenol;
and
WHEREAS,
pentachlorophenol is used primarily as a wood preservative and the release by
facilities of the toxin into the air during the treatment process is currently
unregulated in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
those living closest to a wood preservation facility, such as the one in the
Atlanta metro area, are at the greatest risk of permanent health damage;
and
WHEREAS,
the effect of pentachlorophenol on air quality and the impact on the health of
people exposed to this substance, which is classified by the Environmental
Protection Agency as an air pollutant and dangerous toxin, are being continually
assessed and studied; and
WHEREAS,
the federal government does not currently regulate airborne transmission of
pentachlorophenol although many states and other countries have set emission
limits on the release of the toxin; and
WHEREAS,
air quality guidelines for pentachlorophenol are currently used in at least 15
states and one country: Arizona, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode
Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada;
and
WHEREAS,
Georgia has been listed as one of the top five states for the amount of
pentachlorophenol released into the environment, and many Georgia residents are
currently being exposed to this harmful substance without any limitation on the
degree of exposure, thereby placing them at risk of life-threatening illnesses;
and
WHEREAS,
the residents of these communities deserve a remedy for the ongoing presence of
pollutants and a thorough study of possible adverse health effects and how they
can be ameliorated.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Study Committee on the Airborne Release of Pentachlorophenol and its
Effects on the Health of Georgia Residents to be composed of five members of the
House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. The Speaker shall designate one of the House members of the
committee to be chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all
meetings of the committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the above
issues and recommend any actions or legislation that the committee deems
necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such
places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to
exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish
the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee
shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim
legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than five days
unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the
provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the
House of Representatives. In the event that the committee makes a report of its
findings and recommendations with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any,
such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2009. The committee shall
stand abolished on December 31, 2009.