SLS 17RS-2414 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 161
BY SENATOR BARROW
ENVIRONMENT QUALITY DEPT. Requests the Department of Environmental Quality
to study providing notifications to residents and the feasibility of providing free medical
monitoring after the release of toxic air emissions from certain facilities.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the Department of Environmental Quality to study providing
3 notifications to residents and the feasibility of providing free medical monitoring
4 after the release of toxic air emissions from major sources.
5 WHEREAS, the purity of the air in the environment is a matter of vital concern to
6 the welfare of the people of the state and all efforts should be taken to promote an
7 environment free from substances that jeopardize the health of its citizens; and
8 WHEREAS, regulations and policies for economic and industrial development
9 should include efforts to provide citizens living in areas under threat of toxic air emissions
10 from major sources with scientific information and resources to help them avoid negative
11 health effects associated with an exposure to harmful substances; and
12 WHEREAS, the ability to protect the citizens of the state depends upon the adequacy
13 of emergency response plans, and such plans should include rapid notification of the release
14 of any toxic air emission to residents who live in an area affected by such emission, and
15 should also include the latest scientific data regarding the substance released and any
16 potential health complications associated with the emission; and
17 WHEREAS, such plans should also include access to free and timely medical
18 monitoring provided to residents who have been exposed to toxic air emissions in an effort
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SLS 17RS-2414 ORIGINAL
1 to prevent harmful and avoidable health consequences as a result of an exposure to harmful
2 substances; and
3 WHEREAS, in an effort to ensure that the health and well-being of the people of
4 Louisiana are being protected, the Department of Environmental Quality, in consultation
5 with the Louisiana Department of Health, should study the feasibility of providing timely
6 notifications and free medical monitoring for any residents exposed to toxic air emissions
7 from a major source.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
9 does hereby request the Department of Environmental Quality to study creating a
10 notification system and a free medical monitoring program for residents exposed to a toxic
11 air emission from a major source.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
13 secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
SR 161 Original 2017 Regular Session Barrow
Requests DEQ to study providing notifications to residents and the feasibility of providing
free medical monitoring after the release of toxic air emissions from major sources.
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