Tuesday, February 28, 2017

USEPA to help Guam test for Agent Orange

"(USEPA) Administrator Pruitt has given us his assurance of assistance as Guam EPA moves forward with testing not only for Agent Orange, but for any dioxins that could negatively impact the health of our veterans and our people." – Gov. Eddie Calvo

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency would help Guam with testing for the Vietnam War-era herbicide Agent Orange in Guam, the governor’s office announced yesterday.
Gov. Eddie Calvo met with Pruitt yesterday and they discussed the situation in which several military veterans have come forward about the use of Agent Orange in Guam, according to the governor’s office.
"Administrator Pruitt has given us his assurance of assistance as Guam EPA moves forward with testing not only for Agent Orange, but for any dioxins that could negatively impact the health of our veterans and our people," the governor stated.
GEPA has sought out price quotes from several environmental companies that can test for Agent Orange and other chlorinated pesticides. The agency also is coordinating with the Department of Defense to test areas on military bases that may have been affected.
Karnig Ohannessian, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for the environment, has also expressed interest in discussing Agent Orange’s impact, according to the governor’s office.
"We look forward to partnering with the USEPA to ensure that our people’s health and island’s environment are protected," GEPA Administrator Walter Leon Guerrero said.
"I advised Administrator Pruitt that regulations like these will put quite a burden on our people, with our small population of 165,000 having to foot the bill," the governor said in a press release. "Our island is committed to keeping our water and air clean, but I’d like to work with him to move in a direction that the people of Guam can afford."

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