Kaptur Calls On USEPA to Make Public All Toledo Water Test Findings: 'The Public Has a Right to Know'

TOLEDO - (August 3, 2014) - Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) this evening called upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to release immediately all water sample findings pertinent to the Toledo emergency.

Following a 30-minute conference call that her office arranged with Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman earlier this evening, Congresswoman Kaptur urged the agency to increase general public understanding about the Toledo crisis by making the results available to the public.

“The public has a right to know,” she said to Administrator Hedman.

USEPA stated that although it is performing the tests on samples from the Toledo plant and distribution facilities, the Ohio EPA in fact has “the lead” in the investigation. Administrator Hedman said the agency would make an effort to get clearance from the state EPA.

"Whether it's the state EPA or the federal EPA makes no difference. The public deserves transparency," Kaptur said.

Other state, local and federal officials were on the conference call, though notably not the Ohio EPA.

Congresswoman Kaptur also noted that although the USEPA has the most sophisticated analytical capability and ability to interpret information, the agency has not been present at any meeting or any media opportunity during the entire crisis.

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