[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            METHAMPHETAMINE REMEDIATION RESEARCH ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2005

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my support for 
this legislation, of which I am a cosponsor. As a member of the Energy 
and Commerce Committee, I have participated in several hearings and 
mark-ups on methamphetamine legislation.
  One of the many unsafe effects of this drug is the environmental harm 
caused by producing it and disposing of the byproducts. Given that the 
products necessary to produce meth can be purchased at a drug store, 
and it can be produced in small quantities, many users make the drug in 
their basement, garage or kitchen, despite the health and safety risks.
  Cooking meth indoors allows toxic fumes to escape into the house and 
be trapped in furniture and walls, causing additional health concerns 
for those producing it--and especially for the family and children who 
live in these homes. The production of meth puts family members and 
children in harm's way, as there is a possibility of inhaling fumes, 
absorbing chemicals or accidentally ingesting the toxic materials used 
to manufacture this drug.
  Depending on the process used, each pound of meth produced results in 
about six additional pounds of waste which will likely end up in our 
sewer systems, in streams or rivers, or on the ground. Given that some 
of the key ingredients can be acetone, hydrochloric acid, ether and 
ammonia, disposing of this byproduct improperly can lead to additional 
health risks and environmental damage.
  I am pleased the House is taking up this legislation to address the 
negative environmental impacts of methamphetamines, and problems posed 
by clean-up and remediation by directing the EPA to develop assessment 
standards and remediation guidelines. H.R. 798 also directs studies to 
be conducted on the residual effects of methamphetamine production, and 
supports the development of methamphetamine detection testing.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleague to join me in supporting this 
legislation.

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