Clinton and Kerry to introduce TCE legislation

August 1, 2007 - U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., is set to file legislation today to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to study trichloroethylene (TCE) - a chemical degreaser once used at military air bases in Western Massachusetts and across the country - and determine whether relevant federal safety standards are outdated.

U.S. Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, D-N.Y., a 2008 presidential hopeful who also chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health, will co-sponsor the legislation with Kerry.

The EPA has 12 months if the bill is enacted in which to draft new health standards for TCE in drinking water.

The bill would also issue "a health advisory standard for vapor intrusion (of TCE) within 12 months of enactment, and it would require the EPA to establish an Integrated Risk Information System reference concentration of trichloroethylene vapor with 18 months of enactment."

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