Contaminated Drinking Water Continues to Flow Through Urban American Waterways
by Reenita Malhotra in Drinking Water
How safe is your drinking water?
According to the Associated Press, pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies have released as much as 271 million pounds of various chemicals legally into waterways that provide drinking water to millions. Chemicals found in urban waters include lithium, nitroglycerin, copper, phenol, hydrogen peroxide, nicotine, and many more. Typically most cities do not customarily test water for chemical infiltration, this is becoming an increasing problem in urban America.
But it’s not just about pharmaceuticals. Many manufacturing plants release other toxic components such as mercury into nearby waterways that are often the main water supply for the area. Coal plants are especially to blame. While people increasingly avoid seafood in their diet to lower their incidence of mercury poisoning, it is important to remember that the problem does not begin with the fish itself, but rather with industrialization in the surrounding waters.
Earthjustice has been working to clean up the cement industry’s toxic mercury emissions for over a decade. Given that the EPA has just announced a proposal to reduce mercury emissions from Portland cement kilns, it appears that Earthjustice’s good work has not been in vain.
Two cement kilns near Seattle, WA are significant sources of mercury pollution in the area. Watch this video made using Google Earth to learn more.
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Posted on May 09, 2009
Associated Press, chemical infiltration, chemicals, Environmental Protection Agency, google, pharmaceutical and manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, poisoning, Portland, Seattle Washington, United States
About the Author
Reenita Malhotra
Reenita Malhotra Hora is an Ayurveda clinician and freelance writer. Native to Mumbai, she resides in San Francisco with her husband and two kids where she helps people to achieve their wellness goals. Reenita writes for a variety of sustainability media including Green Options, Green Living Ideas, National Geographic Kids, SustainLane and more. Check out her wisdom at www.reenita.com.Subscribe and Share
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