[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 2019. A bill to provide for a research program for remediation of 
closed methamphetamine production laboratories, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce with Senator 
Smith a bill that would provide for the establishment of voluntary, 
``health-based'' remediation guidelines for former methamphetamine 
laboratories, an issue of great importance to Montana, Oregon, and all 
of rural America.
  The material and chemical byproducts of methamphetamine production 
pose novel risks to the environment and public health. These risks are 
compounded by the sheer number of meth labs and the vulnerability of 
police, social service workers, and children exposed to meth 
production. The DEA estimated that there were as many as 16,000 meth 
labs in operation in 2004. Additionally, thousands of meth labs have 
been busted over the years but never properly remediated. Producing one 
pound of meth leaves behind six pounds of hazardous waste. In addition 
to bulk waste, cooking meth infuses toxic chemicals into the walls, 
carpeting, and ventilation systems of the homes, apartments, motel 
rooms, and parks where meth is produced.
  Unremediated methamphetamine labs pose significant public health 
risks. The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that 
law enforcement officials and social service workers exposed to meth 
labs, or even just individuals removed from meth labs, have complained 
of severe headaches, eye and respiratory irritations, nausea, and 
burns. The need for remediation guidelines is clear.
  Currently, eight States, including Montana, have ``feasibility-
based'' remediation standards. ``Feasibility-based'' standards consider 
cost as a key factor in determining what level of remediation is 
desirable. While such standards are a start, we need greater certainty 
that our public servants and children are adequately protected.
  Our bill provides a remedy. It directs the Assistant Administrator 
for Research and Development of the EPA to establish voluntary 
remediation guidelines, based on the best available scientific 
knowledge. To further this effort, our bill provides for a program of 
research to identify methamphetamine laboratory-related chemicals of 
concern, assess the types and levels of exposure to chemicals of 
concern--including routine and accidental exposures--that may present a 
significant risk of adverse biological effects, and evaluate the 
performance of various methamphetamine laboratory cleanup and 
remediation techniques. Our bill does not regulate States. The 
remediation guidelines are purely voluntary, meant to put States, 
remediation consultants, homeowners, and realtors on the same page.
  Methamphetamine production poisons not only users but also spouses, 
children, public servants, and any future owners of properties exposed 
to meth production. To protect the public we need consistent, 
scientifically-based remediation guidelines.
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