HR0389 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0389 LRB094 12180 RSP 45646 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The group of pollutants known as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances, or "PBTs", are highly toxic, long-lasting, and build up in the food chain to levels that can pose risks to human and ecosystem health; mercury, dioxin, PCBs, and lead are examples of PBTs; and

WHEREAS, Exposure to PBTs has been associated with a range of adverse health effects, including effects on the nervous system, reproductive and development problems, cancer, and hormonal disruption and may pose particular risks to young children and developing fetuses because critical organs, such as the brain, central nervous system, and eyes, are still under development; and

WHEREAS, A wide range of conditions and activities may produce and release PBTs into Illinois' environment, including industrial processes, various consumer products, the presence of pesticides and PCBs in sediments, and the use of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines; and

WHEREAS, The American Public Health Association, the United Nations' Environmental Program, and the International Joint Commission of the United States and Canadian governments have agreed upon the benefits of reducing certain PBTs in the environment; and

WHEREAS, PBTs are particularly problematic for environmental protection efforts because of their ability to travel long distances in the atmosphere, move readily from land to air and water, and linger for generations in people and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Progress has been made to reduce individual uses, releases, and environmental concentrations of several PBTs, but current programs do not fully address the comprehensive challenge presented by PBTs and their potential for cross-media impacts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Environmental Protection Agency to develop for review by the General Assembly a strategy to address the risks of PBTs to human health and the environment for PBTs used, released, and disposed of in Illinois. This strategy shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Designation of an initial list of priority PBT's for targeted action in Illinois, including an explanation of why each PBT has been selected to the priority list.

(2) Using available information, a description of what activities generate the priority PBTs that may be present in the environment of Illinois.

(3) Identification of the policies and strategies that present the best potential for cleaning up, controlling, and where possible, preventing releases of priority PBTs, taking into account both regulatory and non-regulatory tools.

(4) Procedures to coordinate planning among agency programs to address cross-media effects of priority PBTs and encourage the development of innovative reduction strategies.

(5) Identification of informational systems, decision-making tools, and resource requirements needed to make informed decisions on measures to reduce priority PBTs.

(6) Development of measurable indicators to track priority PBT reduction successes and failures; and be it further

RESOLVED, That, in developing the PBT strategy, the Environmental Protection Agency shall convene at least 2 public meetings to solicit comments from the businesses community, local governments, citizens, environmental groups, researchers, and others; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Environmental Protection Agency shall submit the PBT strategy to the House of Representatives Environmental Health Committee for its consideration during the 2006 legislative session; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be delivered to the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.