Unacceptable: Reports indicate EPA will refuse to limit brain-damaging chemical in water
Decision would ignore the science, the law, and leave kids at risk from perchlorate exposure
The New York Times today reported that the Environmental Protection Agency plans to abandon regulation of the chemical perchlorate, dismissing a nearly decades-old finding that the rocket fuel ingredient should not be in our drinking water. Last year, based on a flawed scientific assessment that was inconsistent with its peer reviewers’ conclusions, the EPA proposed a weak limit on perchlorate in water that was more than 3 times less protective than an advisory level set in 2008. Rather than fixing its flawed science, the agency appears to be sticking with its inadequate proposed limits to conclude that too few facilities have enough perchlorate contamination to warrant regulation.
“This report is very disturbing. In an all-too common scenario for this Administration, EPA is putting its blinders on to ignore the science and the law in its decision-making,” said Tom Neltner, EDF Chemicals Policy Director. “The agency only reached this decision by distorting and rejecting critical scientific evidence linking this potent neurotoxin to development problems in kids. Plain and simple, this would put children at risk.”
Background
Perchlorate, a rocket-fuel ingredient, is a known endocrine disruptor that impairs the thyroid’s ability to use iodine in the diet to make a hormone essential to brain development. For the estimated 20% of pregnant women who are already iodine-deficient, any exposure to perchlorate can pose a risk to a child’s healthy development.
- Analysis of EPA’s proposed MCL: EPA distorts the scientific evidence and fails to protect kids’ brains in its proposed limit for perchlorate in drinking water
- EDF’s efforts to ban perchlorate in food packaging: Perchlorate in food
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
Media Contact
Latest press releases
- September 23, 2024
-
Court Should Deny Shadow Docket Requests to Block Methane Pollution Limits
September 20, 2024 -
CFTC Guidance will Strengthen Voluntary Carbon Credits
September 20, 2024 -
Navajo Nation takes significant action to cut methane, assert tribal sovereignty
September 19, 2024 -
Houston-area High School Students Selected as Winners in Environmental Defense Fund Video Contest
September 16, 2024 -
New Bill Would Help Congress Better Understand Legislation’s Climate Impacts
September 12, 2024