9.22.2008 12:31 PM

EPA Shirks Responsibility on Perchlorate

Defending Defense Department, EPA Won't Set Safe Drinking Water Standard

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Photo: Istock

By Dan Shapley

Some chemicals are more dangerous than others, and some are just more expensive.

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to shirk its duty, and refuse to set a safe drinking water quality standard for perchlorate, which its own scientists agree is a danger to public health. Why? The Defense Department would then be responsible for cleaning up hazardous waste sites, and that's expensive.

Perchlorate, while it can occur naturally, is most often found as a contaminant after use in rocket fuel.

As a result of the EPA's apparent decision, reported by the Washington Post is that as many as 40 million Americans will drink polluted water without realizing the risk, and without the source of any contamination being identified, controlled or cleaned up.

This is only the latest example of the Bush Administration EPA being accused of bowing to political and economic concerns, as opposed to taking the advice of its own scientists, when it comes to decisions about environmental -- or in this case, human -- health.

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