EPA to allow toxic rocket fuel in drinking water

Sounds like the plot of a science fiction novel, doesn't it? No, it's just the latest outrage brought to us courtesy of the Bush-Cheney administration. From the Associated Press:

The Environmental Protection Agency has decided there's no need to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has fouled public water supplies around the country. EPA reached the conclusion in a draft regulatory document not yet made public, but reviewed Monday by The Associated Press.

The ingredient perchlorate has been found in at least 395 sites in 35 states at levels high enough to interfere with thyroid function and pose developmental health risks, particularly for babies and fetuses, scientists say. The EPA document says mandating a clean-up level for perchlorate would not result in a "meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction for persons served by public-water systems."

So it's bottled water then, unless we live next to a natural mountain spring? Guess the administration hasn't done enough damage, with their stealth repeal of the Clean Water Act and dismantling more than 400 environmental protection laws passed over decades. Now they don't care if our drinking water is poisoned?

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Comments

[tinker]

Unfortunately, at least here in America, much of the bottled water actually is nothing more than tap water. Best to use your own filter - though that still won't remove everything - but at least you know some of it HAS actually been filtered -- which is more than can be said for some of the top brands of bottled water here. Also, better to use a glass or metal bottle for drinking from, than the recycled plastic with its additional PCBs leaching into your water before you drink it - since the plastic bottles are often left in overheated conditions on trucks and loading docks...To be honest though - I say this, even though I'm still continuing to reuse plastic ones myself, while I'm trying to find reasonably priced metal or glass containers for us, but it's information I feel should be passed on. Our health and our attitude, is all we really have in this world - I hope we can keep them both in the best of shape!
Unfortunately, this latest information is only the tip of the iceberg of a number of environmental fiascos - I mean 'policies' - being swept under the rug, out of sight from the average citizen. Thank you for helping to keep it out in the light!

[gemma]

OMG The truth is so much stranger than science fiction. It's just incredible that they have gotten away with this. I am outraged at what damage this administration has done!!! argh!!!
Thank you for keeping informed on all of this!!!

[rochambeau]

This is horrible!
Somehow you always have the inside info!
What can I say, except it saddens me.

xox
Constance