[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING H.R. 365, THE METHAMPHETAMINE REMEDIATION RESEARCH ACT OF 
                                  2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesay, February 7, 2007

  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of H.R. 365, The 
Methamphetamine Remediation Act of 2007, which will help communities 
across North Carolina clean up methamphetamine labs and the dangerous 
toxins that they leave behind. We must work toward making our 
communities safer, while also protecting our environment against the 
harmful effects of methamphetamine.
  The chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine are extremely 
hazardous to our health and to our environment. These chemicals are 
toxic both during production and in their post-production residue. They 
can cause soil contamination through chemical dumping, in addition to 
hazardous waste problems. This residue seeps into carpets, furnishings, 
drapery and walls, so anyone who occupies the space now or in the 
future will be exposed to the dangerous toxins. This is extremely 
alarming since two-thirds of all methamphetamine labs are found in 
residential areas. Future residents are often exposed to these toxic 
chemicals without even knowing it, with children particularly 
vulnerable to harm.
  Despite the best efforts of our dedicated men and women in law 
enforcement, this problem is growing. In 2005 there were 322 
methamphetamine lab incidents in North Carolina alone. In 2003, the 
Asheville Port of Duty targeted large methamphetamine trafficking group 
in the region that was distributing over 40 pounds of methamphetamine 
monthly to habitual users in Western North Carolina.
  H.R. 365 addresses these problems in several ways. It will help 
protect innocent families against the after affects of methamphetamine 
labs and make our communities safer and cleaner places to live. It will 
direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to work with 
the EPA to develop technologies that will detect methamphetamine labs. 
The bill authorizes funding for the EPA to research the chemical 
residues and work with State and local officials to ensure that all 
levels of government are using the best practices for methamphetamine 
lab recovery and remediation, so that future residents of a home are 
safe from harmful toxins.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to vote for this important 
legislation that will help protect our environment from pollution and 
our innocent families from the dangerous poisons that are imposed 
unknowingly upon them.

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