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Perchlorate: You might not know how to pronounce it, but it's in you
In an ideal world, rocket fuel would not be in people. But we don't live in the ideal world, and perchlorate, a potent chemical ingredient of rocket fuel, is in all of us.
A new EWG analysis of FDA data shows that three quarters of 285 commonly consumed foods and beverages are contaminated with perchlorate, a toxic rocket fuel ingredient. That means that every day, the average two-year-old is exposed to more than half of the EPA "safe" dose of perchlorate from food alone.
This is especially troubling in the 28 states that also are exposed to perchlorate through contaminated tap water.
Perchlorate can affect the thyroid gland, and adequate levels of thyroid hormones are necessary for normal brain development. In addition, toddlers are particularly vulnerable because they eat and drink substantial amounts of food and water relative to their small size.
Also affected by perchlorate levels are women with lowered iodide levels. That is about 1/3 of women in the U.S.
What we need is a federal standard that would protect the public from this potent chemical. Perchlorate in food is harder to manage because the source of contamination is still not clear. However, people can control their intake of perchlorate in the water by using good filtration system. The best first step is to call your local water utility and see if they found perchlorate in the water you are drinking. Jennifer Bowles has more on pending legislation on her blog.
Photo: Lunar Launch by jurvetson
An interesting twist to this is that perchlorate is also naturally occuring. While some view this as exculpatory, it really makes the situation worse. You can handle the levels that are naturally around, but the contamination from rocket fuel is pushing people over the risky edge.
Pratical advice for foodies. Kosher salt, while superior for disolving onto a surface, is not iodized (at least, I've never seen an iodized kosher salt). So stick with iodized salt for most cooking and all baking (here kosher salt is inferior anyway); it will protect your thyroid.
I need help/advice/direction regarding groundwater contamination and my husband's diagnosis of brain cancer. Following his diagnosis, I found out about a few other people from the area that also had brain tumors. I though it was strange to know this many people with brain tumors so I began searching the internet to see if contaminanats might have been present. I have since found out that he grew up in one of the worst groundwater contamination sites in the nation (San Gabriel Valley, Ca.). I have found information showing his water company's wells were located in areas containing plumes of Trichloroethylene (TCE) & Perchloroethylene (PCE)as well as small amounts of vinyl chloride. I have also found out that vinyl chloride is known to cause brain cancer. So, after living there for 30 years and finding that regions of this area contain 10x to 100x maximum toxicity levels of TCE & PCE and knowing that the polluters have in fact been identified, I would have thought it would be pretty straight forward to hold either the water company or polluters responsible for my husband's illness. I've spoken with 3 different law firms who have all said it's too difficult to prove (2 were toxic tort atty's). Most recently I was told by one of them to consult a scientist. One of the atty's has appeared to be helpful by giving suggestions, but just when I think I've gathered enough evidence to solve his latest objection, he still says "sorry, can't help you" and gives me a new objection or task. So, what do I need to do to find the "smoking gun"? What type of scientist should I consult? And, is it possible to separate 2nd hand smoke (his parents were both smokers) from primary responsibilty for his brain cancer? I know that there has been no association found between breast cancer & smoking. It would seem a logical extension to me (because of the blood/brain barrier) that it would be even mored difficult to associate 2nd hand smoke and brain cancer. I need help please!!! Am I wasting my time pursuing this? If I don't pursue it, we can't afford the travel expenses to seek out clinical trials, but I don't want to waste the precious little time we have on futile pursuits if it truly is hopeless. Thanks for your time and advice.
Ed. Note: anyone with advice for Stephanie can email me, amanda[AT]enviroblog.org, and I'll get her the info
Drinking Water: Perchlorate Supplemental Request for Public Comments has been extended to October 8th, 2009
SUMMARY: In an August 19, 2009, Federal Register notice, EPA announced that it was seeking comments on additional approaches to analyzing data related to the Agency's preliminary regulatory determination for perchlorate. (Perchlorates are the salts derived from perchloric acid (HClO4). They occur both naturally and through manufacturing.) The additional comments are sought in an effort to ensure consideration of all the potential options for evaluating whether there is a meaningful opportunity for human health risk reduction of perchlorate through a national primary drinking water rule. In response to requests from several stakeholders, this action reopens the public comment period for an additional 15 days.
DATES: EPA must receive your comments on or before October 8, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0297, by one of the following methods:
* http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
* Mail: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
* Hand Delivery: Water Docket, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
74 FR 48541 -- Sep. 23, 2009 EPA data from http://www.FederalRegister.com