The EPA and perchlorate

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Companion piece;http://www.organicconsumers.org/perchlorate.htmPerchlorates: REPORT ON WIDESPREAD ROCKET FUEL POLLUTION IN NATION'S FOOD AND WATERCLICK HERE TO SEND INSTANT LETTER TO YOUR SENATORS! A new analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control indicates that a toxic chemical in rocket fuel has severely contaminated the nation's food and water supply (read the Environmental Working Group study here).Scientists warn that the chemical, known as perchlorate, could cause thyroid deficiency in more than 2.2 million women of childbearing age.This thyroid deficiency could damage the fetus of pregnant women, if left untreated. Perchlorate, the explosive ingredient in solid rocket fuel, has leaked from military bases and defense and aerospace contractors' plants in at least 22 states, contaminating drinking water for millions of Americans.Despite massive complaints, defense contractors such as Kerr-McGee have done little or nothing to clean up the pollution. Perchlorate has also been widely detected in milk, lettuce, produce and other foods. In an alarming study, the CDC found perchlorate in the urine of every person tested. The OCA has mobilized thousands of organic consumers to pressure the EPA and government officials to begin a massive clean up of perchlorate for over a year.========http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/unregulated/perchlorate.htmlPerchlorateIn January 2009, EPA issued an interim health advisory to assist state and local officials in addressing local contamination of perchlorate in drinking water.  The interim health advisory level of 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or parts per billion (ppb), is based on the reference dose recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).  The Agency is also seeking advice from the NAS before making a final regulatory determination on whether to issue a national regulation for perchlorate in drinking water.  Interim Drinking Water Health Advisory for Perchlorate PDF (49pp, 406K, About PDF) December 2008, EPA 822-R-08-25 Questions and Answers In October 2008, EPA made a preliminary regulatory determination for perchlorate in drinking water. Regulatory Determinations for Priority Contaminants on the second Contaminant Candidate List EPA has established a reference dose for perchlorate, which is consistent with the reference dose recommended by the National Research Council’s 2005 report. Risk information about perchlorate and perchlorate salts Additional information about perchlorate can also be found on the EPA Federal Facilities page EPA Federal Facilities and Perchlorate Questions and Answers Why isn’t EPA making a final regulatory determination? What kind of comments did the Agency receive on the Federal Register notice? What did the peer reviewers say on their review of EPA’s adaptation and application of the PBPK model to assess effects on sensitive subpopulations? What is EPA asking the NAS to do? What is the timing for the NAS review and final regulatory determination? Why is EPA issuing an interim health advisory? What is the basis for EPA’s interim health advisory level of 15 µg/L? What comments did EPA get on its peer review of the health advisory? How does this decision impact clean up of perchlorate at Superfund sites? How frequently is perchlorate found in drinking water? How will a public water system know if it has perchlorate in its water? How will I know if I have perchlorate in my drinking water? How can perchlorate be removed if it gets in my drinking water? If I shouldn’t drink water with perchlorate levels above 15 µg/L, does this mean I should also avoid foods that have those concentrations? =====In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.