Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
July 1, 2008
4. Water Quality –
Environmentalists challenge report's call to eat more fish
Mobile-home park lacks safe drinking water
The Desert Sun- 6/28/08
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Environmentalists challenge report's call to eat more fish
By Mike Lee, Staff Writer
Clean-water activists yesterday challenged a new state report that encouraged people to eat more fish because the health benefits generally outweigh the risks of getting cancer or other diseases.
The advisory applies to fish caught in
Researchers from the agency looked at seven contaminants commonly found in the marine food chain, including DDT and mercury, and assessed how much fish people can have without significantly raising their long-term risk of illness from those chemicals.
They recommended that healthy adults eat about 8 ounces of fish per week – 6 ounces after cooking – while pregnant women, children and people with weak immune systems should consume 4 ounces. Its standards match those of the
Some government surveys have shown that on average, Americans eat roughly one-third to half the recommended amount of fish.
“There is a significant body of evidence and general scientific consensus that eating fish at (suggested) levels . . . appears to promote significant health benefits, including decreased mortality,” the new state report said.
It's widely known that fish contain heart-healthy fatty acids. State researchers also highlighted improved brain function in fetuses of women who eat fish.
Fishing advocates statewide were pleased by the report.
“Anything that says eating fish is a good thing is very positive for the industry,” said Catherine Miller of the San Diego Sportfishing Council.
But some environmentalists accused the state's health hazard office of failing in its duty to protect the public.
“(Its officials) are trying to move people toward eating more fish because it's better than eating a double cheeseburger. . . . The reality is that we all have the right to eat clean seafood. It's not an either-or proposition,” said Mark Gold, president of the Santa Monica-based environmental group Heal the Bay.
He also expressed concern that the report could reduce the urgency to clean up chemical hot spots.
Although the study doesn't override specific warnings about fish caught from certain places, Gold said it downplays the risks associated with eating fish from the
Problem areas include the
One of the report's most troubling aspects, Gold said, was the state's reliance on a standard that allows for an increased cancer risk to one person in 10,000. It's a less protective goal than many other studies that try to limit increased cancer risk to one person in 100,000.
“These (cancer levels) are both within the range of risk assessment that the Environmental Protection Agency allows,” said Sam Delson, spokesman for the Environmental Health Hazard office in
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080701-9999-1m1fish.html
Mobile-home park lacks safe drinking water
The Desert Sun- 6/28/08
By Mandy Zatynski
Residents of an
A well at the La Quinta Ridge Mobile Estates has "an elevated level of perchlorate," a routine test determined last week, said John Watkins, deputy director of environmental health for
Perchlorate is an inorganic chemical often used in fireworks, explosives, flares, matches and a variety of industries.
If consumed, it can affect thyroid hormone levels. These hormones are needed for normal metabolism and mental function. For pregnant woman, the hormones also are needed for normal prenatal growth and development of the fetus.
"It is unknown at this point" what caused the contamination, he said. The water is not safe to drink, even after boiling, Watkins added.
"It was kind of a surprise that it was found," he said, although groundwater is tested routinely for it.
No illnesses or injuries have been reported.
Residents were notified immediately, Watkins said, and the park owner has been providing bottled water to residents in the meantime.
A manager at the property declined comment Friday and referred all questions to regional manager Pete Jorde, who did not immediately return a message left late Friday.
Watkins said the contamination can be fixed by diluting the high perchlorate levels with clean water, in effect balancing out the concentration.
Property owners, state public health officials and
"They're fortunate that the water is nearby," Watkins said.
A report filed with the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Information System Friday shows no health-based violations, but several monitoring and reporting violations as far back as 1993.
The mobile home park,
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080628/NEWS07/806280318/1006/NEWS01
No comments:
Post a Comment