CHAPTER 613
FORMERLY
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37
RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONDUCT RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE CAUSES BEHIND DELAWARE'S HIGH CANCER RATE.
WHEREAS, a recent news report once again confirms that Delaware ranks proportionately as one of the highest states in the union in cancer rates and cancer deaths; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Task Force on Cancer reports that Delaware had the highest cancer death rate in the country between 1985 and 1989, and other studies consistently place Delaware at or near the top of the cancer death rate statistics; and
WHEREAS, while the Governor's Task Force on Cancer speculates that one of the reasons for Delaware's disproportionately-high cancer rate and cancer death rate is such high-risk behavior as smoking, there is little empirical evidence to support arguments that Delawareans engage in such behaviors to any greater extent than in states with lower cancer rates and cancer death rates; and
WHEREAS, although the Governor's Task Force on Cancer does not identify any causal links between industrial pollution and the state's high cancer rate, the Task Force admits that there has been a lack of consistent monitoring, accurate data, and adequate study on the role that the environment and industrial pollution plays in cancer, and the study states that "ongoing and future studies must continue to be done"; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of those in Delaware who are attempting to research this intractable problem are admirable, assistance from those with greater expertise in identifying environmental links to Delaware's high cancer rate is needed to resolve once and for all lingering questions concerning causal links between industrial pollution and cancer.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 138th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives thereof concurring therein, that we hereby request the assistance of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in seeking to determine whether there are environmental factors impacting upon Delaware's high cancer rate and high cancer death rate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon receipt of this Resolution, Carol Browner, Director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, is respectfully requested to have the appropriate EPA designee contact the offices of the Majority Leader of the Delaware State Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the respective chairs of the Senate and House Natural Resources Committees to best determine the most effective means by which the EPA can provide their assistance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon passage, a suitable copy of this Resolution be forwarded .o.) Carol Browner, Director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the members of Delaware's congressional delegation.