April 23, 2014

Manchin Statement on New Elk River Spill Study

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after health effect results from the Elk River chemical spill were released from a collaborative investigation between the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (WVBPH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR).

 “After nearly four months, West Virginians still have palpable concerns and feel unsettled frustration about the safety of their water. West Virginians deserve all their questions answered, as well as comprehensive recommendations on future actions. I urge the Centers for Disease Control to continue working with state health officials to fully study not only the short-term, but also the long-term impacts of the Freedom Industry spill.

 "It is clear that a chemical leak like this could have occurred anywhere in the country, and that is why I will fight to pass my bill that would help prevent similar incidents from happening again.”

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