There’s Rocket Fuel in Our Water, and the EPA Says “Too Bad for You!”

In a world where we’re increasingly exposed to dangerous chemicals on a daily basis, thank goodness we have the EPA to protect us. After all, as their website states, their main goal is to protect human health and the environment. So when the EPA says that they’re not too concerned about a known toxic component of rocket fuel that harms fetuses and causes thyroid dysfunction being present in our water, I guess that means we’re in the clear, right?

Envirowonk has it:

However, they may issue a bulletin telling you that it might harm your unborn children, just so you know. At least it works out OK for the poor, impoverished Department of Defense, who’d have to fund the cleanup.

The EPA’s assistant administrator for water, Benjamin Grumbles, said he knew that perchlorate was toxic, but questioned whether regulation of drinking water was feasible or effective. He cited a Food and Drug Administration study released in January that found 81 percent of perchlorate intake by infants comes from baby foods and dairy foods, and that 74 percent of the 285 distinct foods tested contained the chemical.

Grumbles’ point that drinking water isn’t the only source of perchlorate intake is well-taken, but we’d rebut that by noting that the study he cited only dealt with infants, not adults, who are more likely to drink significant amounts of tapwater. Also, given the EPA’s jurisdiction over water pollution in all forms, not just drinking water, the fact that it’s present in food doesn’t seem to be a barrier to regulating its presence in surface and groundwater used for irrigation and livestock watering too.

Oh, I see. A bulletin warning us is enough to protect us. Plus, if it’s already in baby food and dairy, then why not just give up? We’re screwed either way, right?

Thank you, EPA. Thank you for doing your job – the job that millions of Americans take for granted that you do thoroughly and correctly. I mean, it’s only our lives on the line. And, the lives of our children. When my baby comes out looking like Sloth, I know who to call.

Link [Envirowonk]
Photo credit: Warner Bros

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