There is a "distinct possibility" that the U.S. EPA will pass on
restricting perchlorate in the nation's water supplies, an agency
official said Tuesday. Perchlorate, a rocket fuel ingredient that has
been found at some 400 places in 35 states, can muck up normal thyroid
function. But Benjamin Grumbles, the EPA assistant administrator for
water, told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that he
wasn't sure national regulation of perchlorate would do much good, and
that the agency might simply issue an informational public health
advisory. The Defense Department is responsible for much perchlorate contamination, so the Pentagon would be on the hook for expensive cleanup if a drinking-water standard was set. But
surely that won't factor in to the EPA decision.
source:
Associated Press
see also, in Grist:
Rocket-fuel chemical taints lettuce and milk throughout the U.S.
see also, in Grist:
Massachusetts and California restrict perchlorate in drinking water
EPA not Super-Interested in Keeping Rocket Fuel Out of Drinking Water
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Rocket Bottle
EPA not super-interested in keeping rocket fuel out of drinking water
Grist Magazine, May 6th, 2008
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