Feb
Industrial Water Pollution Still Gets In To Our Drinking Water
New regulations have reduced the output of chemicals and other contaminants. But wastewater treatment is still not as good as it should be. Toxins still end up in our freshwater supplies.
Drinking water treatment facilities are somewhat more effective than wastewater treatment facilities, but there are no 100% effective treatments at the industrial level. The most effective treatments are those designed for home use.
Investigative reports have shown that traces of numerous drugs are present in many publicly treated supplies. The traces are small, to be sure, but even at miniscule doses, drugs can cause health problems.
Scientists studying the problem are concerned not only with the amount of drugs, but with the many different types that are present. They are particularly concerned for children and pregnant women. The toxins could cause birth defects or an increased risk of cancer.