Press Release

January 19, 2011
SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD SELECTION OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE TO REVIEW HEALTH STUDIES ON FT. DETRICK AREA CONTAMINATION

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today applauded the selection of the National Academy of Science’s  (NAS) Committee on Toxicology to review key public health reports and studies that have been conducted concerning environmental contamination and remediation efforts at Fort Detrick.
 
“I am pleased that the National Academy of Science has been called upon to review and evaluate all studies pertaining to environmental contamination and cancer risks at Fort Detrick. It’s important that we pursue all available science to understand the complete extent of  contamination and to ensure the health and safety of Fort Detrick area residents and its workforce,” said Senator Cardin.  
 
“Fort Detrick plays an important role in keeping our nation safe. But we must also keep the surrounding community safe,” Senator Mikulski said. “I’m glad the National Academy of Sciences, with the support of state and local public health agencies, is examining any possible public health and safety threats from past work at Fort Detrick. I urge the committee to work quickly and thoroughly to complete this important report.”
 
The NAS will review reports and studies conducted by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to help determine if the studies are “scientifically and methodologically rigorous, robust and sufficient to address concerns about potential illness.”
 
In December, Senator Cardin announced that a Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) had been signed by Fort Detrick, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency. The agreement will dictate the process, scope and responsibilities for permanently cleaning up Area B and the affected areas near Fort Detrick.
 
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