EPA May Leave Rocket Fuel In Drinking Water

[FrankRep]

EPA might not act to limit rocket fuel in drinking water

Associated Press
May 6, 2008


An EPA official said Tuesday there's a "distinct possibility" the agency won't take action to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has contaminated public water supplies around the country.

Democratic senators called that unacceptable. They argued that states and local communities shouldn't have to bear the expense of cleansing their drinking water of perchlorate, which has been found in at least 395 sites in 35 states -- or the risk of not doing so.

The toxin interferes with thyroid function and poses developmental health risks, particularly to fetuses.

Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the Environmental Protection Agency, told a Senate hearing that EPA is aware that perchlorate is widespread and poses health risks.
...


Full Story:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-rocket-fuel-pollution%2C0%2C5906838.story?track=rss

[yongrel]

Good. Keep the Federal Government the hell away from this.

Keep the cleanup local.

[brandon]

Good. Keep the Federal Government the hell away from this.

Keep the cleanup local.

The problem is local communities have become so dependant on agencies like the EPA that they wont even bother to do local cleanup if the EPA doesn't tell them to.

[constituent]

what's wrong with rocket fuel?

[yongrel]

The problem is local communities have become so dependant on agencies like the EPA that they wont even bother to do local cleanup if the EPA doesn't tell them to.

Well, that's an entirely seperate problem. We can't justify big national government by saying that the local government is used to having it done for them. The towns need to decide whether they want to act or whether they want to have poisonous water. I don't remember a bit in the Constitution about water cleanup. Maybe I missed an article though.

[yongrel]

what's wrong with rocket fuel?

As far as I know, nothing much worse than regular gasoline. I'm probably wrong about that though.

Still, I'm not eager to drink gasoline anytime soon.

[FrankRep]

I look at it this way:

The EPA isn't doing it's job, people need to know that first of all. That can help justify the idea of dismantling the department.

[constituent]

I look at it this way:

The EPA isn't doing it's job, people need to know that first of all. That can help justify the idea of dismantling the department.

agreed 1000%. the EPA is actually a bully that protects the polluters.

[brandon]

As far as I know, nothing much worse than regular gasoline. I'm probably wrong about that though.

Still, I'm not eager to drink gasoline anytime soon.

"Rocket Fuel" is just a sensationalist term. It has no real definition.

Some rockets are propelled with water or xenon gas, both of which are totally harmless. So maybe the article is telling us that they are dumping water into our water supply.

The title of the article reminds me of Penn and Tellers "will you ban dihydrogen oxide" skit

[Brown Sapper]

Doesn't Illinois have there own EPA agency. I know in Texas the environmental laws are enforced by the TCEQ. I should be them that deal with at most the state. Declare that b!tch a superfund site.

[lucius]

Perchlorate:

Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and manufactured
chemical. It is used as an ingredient in solid fuel for rockets
as well as highway flares. Wastes from the improper disposal
of perchlorate-containing chemicals are increasingly
being discovered in soil and ground water.

Perchlorate and Your Health

Perchlorate interferes with normal thyroid function by
blocking the uptake of iodine. Iodine, in turn, is essential
in making thyroid hormones. Reduced levels of thyroid
hormones can lead to a condition called hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism symptoms include depression, anxiety,
unexplained weight gain, and hair loss. In adults, thyroid
impairment may affect the regulation of a person’s
metabolism and other normal body functions. The effects
of thyroid impairment in fetus, newborns and children
may include changes in behavior, delayed development and
decreased learning capability.

Using PerchlorateContaminated Water

It is safe to use water containing perchlorate to wash
dishes and clothing, to irrigate landscape plants and for
bathing. Water containing perchlorate greater than 4ppb
of perchlorate should not be used for drinking or cooking.
Boiling water does not remove perchlorate; instead it
concentrates the chemical.

Protecting Against Perchlorate in Drinking Water

Effective Filtration Systems: Reverse osmosis, distillation,
and specialized ion exchange resins can be successful in
removing perchlorate from water.

Not Effective Filtration Systems: Common household
filters, carbon filters, charcoal filters, and water softeners
do not remove perchlorate from water. Air stripping,
chlorinating, and aerating are also not effective.

(pdf file) http://www.morgan-hill.ca.gov/Upload/Document/D240002375/SCCPerchlorateFactSheet.pdf

Lord Bertrand Russell smiles...

[thuja]

wow! how i n the world can they say bathing in water with perchlorate in it is safe? it is the same as any other toxic chemical, it is absorbed through the skin.

fireworks are another source of this toxin.