Cleaves NEWSWIRE [Cleaves Newswire has been decommissioned but will remain online as a resource and to preserve backlinks; new site here.] Independent Open Publishing
 
"In our age there is no such thing as keeping out of politics" -- George Orwell
» Gallery

Search

search comments
advanced search
printable version
PDF version

Rocket Fuel in American Tap Water
by sal Wednesday, Feb 2 2011, 10:25pm
international / health related / other press

It is little wonder that most Americans are morons and sick -- those still able to think and maintain acceptable levels of health eat organic and drink filtered water.

tap.jpg

The last post relating to US tap water indicated it had above acceptable levels of sedatives, hormones and other foreign substances, notwithstanding the toxic effect of intentionally added fluoride. However, the latest bulletin from AP, stating that ‘Rocket Fuel’ is present in America’s tap water defies rationality – but then, there is nothing rational about the USA:

EPA to Limit Rocket Fuel Chemical in Tap Water
by AP wire

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is setting the first federal drinking water standard for a toxic rocket fuel ingredient linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women and young children, the Obama administration announced on Wednesday.

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson said that setting the standard will protect public health and spark new technologies to clean up drinking water. Based on monitoring conducted from 2001 to 2005, 153 drinking water sources in 26 states contain perchlorate. The standard could take up to two years to develop, the EPA said.

Perchlorate is also used in fireworks and explosives. In most cases, water contamination has been caused by improper disposal at rocket testing sites, military bases and chemical plants.

"As improved standards are developed and put in place . clean water technology innovators have an opportunity to create cutting edge solutions that will strengthen health protections and spark economic growth," Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson is expected to make that case before a Senate panel Wednesday, where she will likely face opposition from Republicans who plan to take on the EPA over air pollution regulations, controls on the gases blamed for global warming, and other regulations. Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, the top Republican on the environment panel, will bring forward legislation Wednesday to strip the agency of its ability to control heat-trapping gases under the Clean Air Act. House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., will release an identical draft bill.

Democrats, who have pushed for the EPA to regulate perchlorate, say the decision shows the administration standing up for rules that protect public health, even if they burden business. President Barack Obama recently announced a review of all regulations to reduce barriers to economic growth and investment.

The perchlorate standard is eight years in the making. In 2002, an EPA draft risk assessment found that 1 part per billion should be considered safe. Six years later, the Bush administration decided not to regulate the chemical, instead recommending that concentrations not exceed 15 parts per billion. At the time, federal scientists estimated that 16.6 million Americans could be exposed to unsafe levels through their drinking water.

California and Massachusetts in the meantime have set state-level drinking water standards.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who has sponsored legislation to require the EPA to set a standard, said in a statement Wednesday that she was pleased the government was "finally going to protect our families from perchlorate." California has the most water supplies affected — 58, according to the 2001-05 data. Many of the others are in Texas.

"I will do everything I can to make sure this new protection moves forward," Boxer said.

Pentagon officials have spent years questioning the EPA's assessment of perchlorate's risk but have denied influencing the agency's decisions. The military could face liability for tainting water during rocket and missile testing, since the standard will force water agencies around the country to clean up the pollution.

EPA's perchlorate website: http://tinyurl.com/EPAperchlorate

© 2011 Associated Press
[It seems that Corporate controlled America cares as much for its citizens as it does for the civilians in Central Asia. But since when did Corporatists concern themselves with anything other than the bottom line? Perhaps a few long jail terms or known Wall St criminals found hanging in public places may bring some sense to that lunatic nation. However, we should remember that every dark cloud has a silver lining; when Americans feel alienated, depressed and dejected by the state of their nation, they can always have their genitals fondled by the TSA at the nearest American airport.]

COMMENTS

show latest comments first   show comment titles only

jump to comment 1 2

Fluoride toxicity
by Adam Sunday, Feb 6 2011, 1:05am

Fluoride -- not what we've been led to believe:



See more here

Legal decision on Southampton water fluoridation
by staff report via stele - BBC Friday, Feb 11 2011, 4:51am

The High Court is expected to rule later on accusations that a health authority is acting unlawfully in seeking to add fluoride to tap water.

The legal challenge is being brought by Southampton resident Geraldine Milner.

The South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) instructed Southern Water to add fluoride to improve dental health in February 2009.

Ms Milner's counsel David Wolfe has told the court residents will have "no choice" but to drink fluorinated water.

Campaign groups, which have backed the mother-of-three's case, say potential side effects range from bone cancer to thyroid problems and brown spots on the teeth.
Local opposition

The decision to add fluoride to water came after 72% of those who responded to public consultation opposed it, with 28% in favour.

An opinion poll commissioned by the SCSHA produced a narrower result, with 38% against the scheme and 32% in favour and 29% "don't knows".

Mr Wolfe said the authority's move was contrary to government policy that no new fluoridation schemes should be introduced unless it could be shown that the local population was in favour.

He said the health authority decision meant that approximately 195,000 people in Southampton and parts of south-west Hampshire "would have fluoride added to their water whether they liked it or not".

Fluoride is currently consumed by 5.5 million people across the country.

John Howell QC argued on behalf of the SCSHA that the authority was required to make a decision on the merits of the scheme, having taken into account local opposition.

But he said the authority was not legally bound to enact whatever the majority of consultees thought, one way or the other.

James Eadie QC, appearing for Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, supported the SCSHA's stance.

© MMXI The BBC


 
<< back to stories
 

© 2005-2024 Cleaves Alternative News.
Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial re-use, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere.
Opinions are those of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by Cleaves Alternative News.
Disclaimer | Privacy [ text size >> ]