Report Title:

Depleted Uranium; Air Sampling

 

Description:

Requires the department of health to establish air sampling stations to monitor for levels of depleted uranium.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2076

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO DEPLETED URANIUM.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a public health hazard exists from the use of depleted uranium munitions.  The legislature acknowledges current efforts by the United States Army to collect data and conclude whether depleted uranium is being spread within and outside the military training areas at Makua Training Area and Schofield Barracks on Oahu and Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii where depleted uranium munitions are used.  The legislature also finds that the department of health has a responsibility to protect public health from radiation and contaminated dust created by the use of depleted uranium munitions.

     The legislature further finds that data collection and analysis of depleted uranium contamination may have widely accepted credibility if they are performed in a controlled manner with built-in safeguards to preserve the integrity of the process.  Data collection, filter changes, and controlled custody of samples should be used to determine whether depleted uranium is being distributed beyond the military facilities.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish air sampling stations to determine whether, and to what degree, depleted uranium contamination is taking place outside military facilities where depleted uranium munitions are used.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§321-    Depleted uranium; air sampling stations.  (a)  The department of health shall collect data on levels of contamination by depleted uranium.  The department shall establish air sampling stations for this purpose, to be located adjacent to and downwind of United States military facilities in the State where depleted uranium munitions are used.

     (b)  The director of health shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to implement this section that shall include:

     (1)  Ensuring secured access to the air sampling stations;

     (2)  Development of standards for collecting and testing samples; and

     (3)  Safeguarding the custody of any data or samples collected in order to support the integrity of the findings.

     The director shall consult with representatives from the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii and representatives from the appropriate branches of the United States armed services in the development of rules and standards pursuant to this subsection."

     SECTION 3.  The director of health shall submit a report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009, on the status of the program, including any test results that have been established to date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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