ABOUT
Smart discussion of the latest science and news on toxins in your food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health. Written by EWG staff.
DONATE TO EWG TODAY
We need you to help protect your health and environment! Please donate $5 to EWG today.
GET EWG'S TIPS & ACTION ALERTS
Sign Up here to receive email updates and tips from EWG and stay informed on the issues that matter most to you.
Get EWG widgets & blog badges.
ENVIROBLOG TO YOU
ENVIROBLOG VIA EMAIL
You could (almost) eat this furniture
Is your sunscreen in EWG's Sunscreen Hall of Shame?
Fracking: Live chat with EWG & 'Gasland' director Josh Fox
Understanding Sunscreen: 4 Questions about SPF
SEARCH ENVIROBLOG
FEATURED
Why, oh why is there plastic in my aluminum water bottle?
Cell phone radiation series - Part 2: 8 Ways to reduce your exposure
Infant formula: How to choose it & use it
EWG's Tips for Parents: The Series
EWG's Tips to avoid BPA exposure
Let's talk some serious shop about TSCA reform
EWG on TV
Cutting the Pork from U.S. Farm Bill
Sunscreen safety & DC drinking water
Perchlorate in people, kids' personal care products & plastics, and sunscreen
BPA in baby formula & safe cosmetics
What can I do about fluoride in my water?
What is new carpet treated with? What can I do?
Are stainless steel water bottles safe?
Is mineral-based makeup safer?
PEOPLE TALKING TOXICS
TALK TO US
Did we miss something? Email Enviroblog.
« Imagine a tangled toxic mess | Main | THURSDAY: Video Q&A on Antibacterial Products »
Carbon sequestration: Bubbly water for everyone!
So, how do you feel about bubbly water?
EPA has issued an initial rule on carbon sequestration -- that's where coal plants and other major carbon dioxide sources pump the gas into the ground, where (hopefully) it stays and doesn't contribute to climate change. Because the sequestered gas could potentially leak into drinking water sources, the proposed rule would add specific rules for carbon dioxide burial to the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Associated Press said the rule "creates extensive siting, testing and monitoring requirements to prevent leaks." That sounds promising, doesn't it?
I sure hope their assessment is correct. If they're wrong, and EPA doesn't hold companies to strict regulations, the result could be a lot worse than bubbly tap water. If it leaks into drinking water, too much carbon dioxide can make the water acidic. Acidic water can leach heavy metals from rock, and I'm guessing you probably don't want to be drinking lead-water. Also, sequestration would have to be done well and carefully to ensure that carbon dioxide didn't leak out of the ground and back into the atmosphere.
Obviously the best plan is to stop producing so much carbon dioxide, but it looks like carbon sequestration is going to happen. There won't be a final rule for another two or three years, though, so we'll be keeping an eye on the technology and the regulations to see if it can be done safely.
Photo by Philosophy Geek.
Leave a comment