Research
Biological Warfare
The Decontamination of Anthrax and Other Biological Agents
Testimony
of Lynn R. Goldman, MD, MPH
Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore,
MD
Thursday, November 8, 2001
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Part
1
Chairman
Boehlert, Congressman Hall and members of the committee,
thank you for the opportunity to come before you to provide
perspective on our nation's ability to respond to this crisis
of anthrax and bioterrorism.
My
name is Dr. Lynn Goldman and I am a pediatrician and an
environmental epidemiologist. I have an extensive background
in the area of pesticide health and environmental effects
and environmental risks to children. Between 1985 and 1992
I served in various positions in the California Department
of Health Services, most recently as Chief of the Division
of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control. Among
other things, I was responsible for the conduct of a number
of epidemiological investigations of the impacts of environmental
exposures to health, especially the health of children.
In 1993 I was appointed by President Clinton and confirmed
by the Senate to serve as Assistant Administrator for Prevention,
Pesticides and Toxic Substances at the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). In that position, I was responsible
for the nation's pesticide and toxic chemicals regulatory
programs at the EPA. In January 1999 I left the EPA and
joined the Johns Hopkins University where I presently am
Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. At Hopkins,
I am one of the co-chairs of our school wide task force
that is responding to terrorism. Also, on a pro bono basis,
I have provided consultation to the American Postal Worker's
Union on issues related to anthrax in the postal work environment.
I receive no support for doing work in this area at this
time. |
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In
your letter of invitation, you have asked a number of important
questions. In my testimony today, I will address three of these
questions. First, what role does decontamination play in an overall
government response to biological attacks? What must the government
do in order to ensure that decontamination is successful? Second,
what are the major challenges that government agencies face in
decontaminating civilian facilities and is the government prepared
to meet them? Third, what are the major research questions that
must be answered to improve decontamination, and what agencies
are or should be currently pursuing those questions? In addition,
I will share my thoughts about some of the broader science issues
that need to be addressed.
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