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Pollution: You're Drinking It The EPA states that household releases of chemicals in cleaning and body care products are showing up in public drinking water. According to the EPA, there is an increasing risk to human health from household chemical releases. Over 100 of these chemicals are unregulated and drinking water supplies are not required to be tested for these unregulated chemicals. However, testing by the EPA has shown that these chemicals are beginning to show up in low levels in human drinking water supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines pharmaceutical and personal care products as pollutants. Household products that contain these environmentally harmful chemicals include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, fragrances, lotions, cosmetics and household cleaning products. These chemicals, when used by consumers, wash down the drain and many cannot be recovered by current sewage treatment facilities. Numerous studies have indicated that damage to wildlife includes damage to the reproductive system of aquatic males. Currently there are no complete long-term studies of low levels found in streams and sediment. However, as hormone-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates (synthetic fragrances found in body care and cleaning products), parabens, bisphenol A and triclosan increase in the environment, laboratory studies have shown that the risks to developing males will likely increase. According to the EPA, there is an increasing risk to human health from household chemical releases. Over 100 of these chemicals are unregulated and drinking water supplies are not required to be tested for these unregulated chemicals. However, testing by the EPA has shown that these chemicals are beginning to show up in low levels in human drinking water supplies. As larger amounts of these chemicals are used in the home, and subsequently washed down the drain and into the environment, the levels of these chemicals in public water supplies are expected to increase. These chemicals have not been studied for the effects of human long-term exposure. However, the known damage to aquatic life is a cause for concern regarding human consumption of these harmful environmental pollutants. Reductions in the use of household chemicals can help protect the environment and reduce the risk to human health posed by contamination of our drinking water supply. RESOURCES: Currently being updated. |
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