[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, yesterday I voted for both of the amendments 
offered by Senators Burns and Boxer in relation to studies that test 
pesticides on humans. I believe that they are both partially right. We 
should not cut off vital products from the market that are needed and 
used in our homes, businesses, and farms. Using the best available 
scientific data is essential in assuring the public that these valuable 
products are safe and also readily available. Senator Burns's amendment 
would support a thorough review of human dosing studies to make sure 
that they comport with certain conditions and would report back to the 
authorizing committees as well as the Appropriations Committee.
  At the same time, the EPA should establish strong scientific and 
ethical standards on studies that expose people, especially young 
children, to various pesticides, fungicides, and other toxins that are 
used in commerce. I am concerned that the now-halted study on small 
children from Jacksonville, FL is an irresponsible example of how to 
conduct such reviews. Strong standards should apply both to the 
agency's own studies as well as to third-party studies. Important 
questions have been raised about the protocols and guidelines of 
certain studies, and therefore it is only prudent to step back for a 
year to scrutinize that process. For this reason, I voted for the Boxer 
amendment.
  I hope that the study required by the Burns amendment will be carried 
out in a timely and responsible way and provide the necessary 
information so that approach decisions can be made about the 
Environmental Protection Agency's rule-making standards applying to the 
studies human dosing and their toxic effects.

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