Toxic ‘perchlorate’ not so toxic, says NAS report
Posted on : 2005-01-11| Author : Pat Fryer
News Category : Health
A team of scientists from the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) have turned the tables in the battle between environmental pressure groups and the US administration. The team presented a report that states that the toxic chemical ‘perchlorate’ is a lot safer than formerly believed.
Perchlorate is a hazardous chemical that was earlier declared as an ‘emerging contaminant’ by the state health department. The chemical is used in rocket fuel and explosives; which is why it can be found in the vicinity of military facilities, in 35 states. In fact, it is found wherever rockets and explosives were ever tested or are being made. There were reports earlier of finding vegetables that showed traces of this toxic chemical. These vegetables were irrigated with water from the Colorado River, which has been contaminated by a Nevada manufacturing facility. In fact, the contamination was found in at least three Colorado sites.
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