Rachel’s News #5, December 29, 1986
A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study found that American industries could reduce by at least one-third the amount of hazardous wastes they produce. The agency studied 18 specific production processes, such as petroleum refining, wood preserving and electroplating, at 100 plants nationwide. The EPA said industries could significantly cut the amount of waste produced by starting several “good housekeeping” practices, e.g., cutting leaks and spills and stopping the unnecessary mixing of hazardous and non-hazardous materials. The agency found that past efforts to cut down on industrial waste were more concerned with economic than environmental and health considerations. Now government regulations provide indirect incentives for reducing waste because federal and state regulations have significantly increased the cost of hazardous waste disposal. The average cost of land disposal of a ton of hazardous waste is $250; previously it was $15. Incineration costs $500 to $1500 a ton. –Peter Montague
TOXIC LEAD IN NATION’S DRINKING WATER AFFECTS 38 MILLION PEOPLE INCLUDING ADULTS AND CHILDREN
A report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns of the hazards of lead in the nation’s drinking water and says the agency is considering rules to reduce by more than half the amount now tolerated as safe. Taking lead into the body through eating, drinking or breathing, has been found to cause a number of health problems, including slow learning in children, hypertension in adults, and possible effects on pregnant women. Research has found that lead in water is possibly the largest source of lead in the human blood stream.
The rules, not yet formally proposed, would become final in 1988 and would reduce the amount of lead permissible in water flowing in taps in homes to 20 parts per billion from the current standard of 50 parts per billion.
The report says the lower levels would mean a monetary saving to the country of $800 million a year, half in health and remedial education costs and half in the cost of repairing pipes, water heaters, meters and other equipment corroded by water containing lead. Most of the lead in drinking water comes from lead solder on pipe joints within the home.
The report says that the estimate of 38.1 million people exposed to high levels of lead was probably low. Agency officials say that if the maximum permissible level of lead in drinking water were reduced to 15 parts per billion, the monetary benefit to the nation would double to $1.6 billion a year.
Some experts, including the president of a private water concern who worked with the EPA on the study, believe the correct standard should be set lower–10 parts per billion–and they advise individuals to take the responsibility to monitor their own water and take whatever remedial action is needed. –Peter Montague
CANCER-CAUSING WEED KILLER MAY ENDANGER FARMERS, SUBURBANITES
Recent studies linking the weed killer, 2,4-D, to cancer are causing the chemical and lawn industries, consumer groups and federal and state environmental agencies to reconsider use of the chemical. A study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, MD, found that farmers who had been exposed to 2,4-D were 6 times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a tumor of the lymph system) than farmers not exposed. A study by Hazleton Laboratories America of Vienna, VA, one of 30 performed for chemical manufacturers since 1980, found that about 10% of rats exposed to the chemical developed brain tumors. 2,4-D is found in more than 1,500 over-the-counter weedkillers. Chemlawn Services, the nation’s largest professional lawn care company, recently suspended all use of the herbicide. The U.S. EPA will decide in a month or two whether to give 2,4-D special review -a process requiring up to 2 years.
An environmental toxicologist from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey says the dioxins that contaminate 2,4-D are in the middle range of toxicity and 2,4-D could be used safely only with protective gear–masks, boots and gloves. The Pesticide Public Policy Foundation, a chemical industry group, said 2,4-D is perfectly safe for use around the home, even without gloves. The Chevron Chemical Company, maker of Ortho Weed B Gone the largest selling 2,4-D herbicide for home use, also says no protective clothing is needed when using the herbicide.
2,4-D is most commonly used by herbicide manufacturers because it is cheaper, less toxic and more effective than some other weed killers. A spokesman for the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides said that farmers may be justified in using 2,4-D because their livelihood depends on it, but said it is absurd for people to put themselves at risk for an emerald lawn. –Peter Montague
Descriptor terms: epa; studies; lead; water pollution; regulations; health; disease; drinking water; standards; 2,4-d; herbicides; pesticides; cancer; nci; studies; dioxin; pesticide public policy foundation; chemlawn; laboratories america; poisons; chevron; ortho weed be gone; hazardous waste; petroleum industry; wood preservatives; electroplating;
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Rachel’s News was published by Environmental Research Foundation (E.R.F.) from 1986 to 2009. All together, 1000 issues appeared. Unless otherwise noted, they were written by Peter Montague.
Over the years the name of the publication changed slightly, starting as “Hazardous Waste News,” then “Rachel’s Hazardous Waste News,” then “Rachel’s Environment & Health News” and finally “Rachel’s Democracy & Health News.” In this archive, we have simply used “Rachel’s News.”
E.R.F. changed its location over the years from Princeton, N.J., to Washington, D.C. to Annapolis, Md. and finally to New Brunswick, N.J.
To contact E.R.F. or Peter Montague, send email to pm8525@gmail.com.
