Your Water and Rocket Fuel

EPA will limit rocket fuel chemical in tap water

Feb 02, 2011 - After a decade of pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency, the Obama administration announced Wednesday it will develop the first standard to limit how much of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women and young children can be found in tap water. The decision reverses a 2008 preliminary determination by the Bush administration.

Between 5 and 17 million Americans are exposed to perchlorate in the water they drink, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa P. Jackson told the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Wednesday.

Perchlorate has been found in 35 states and the District of Columbia and is known to have contaminated 153 public water systems in 26 states, according to data from the EPA, the Government Accountability Office says. {continued}