Perchlorate — The New Arsenic?

摘要

Perchlorate has been in the news quite a bit lately as recent studies are uncovering what is being referred to as a new threat to ground water. Consumer advocacy groups are demanding cleanup efforts and legislators are scrambling to figure out just what this chemical is and how it has made its way into our drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a key player in the perchlorate scenario. It determines what levels of chemicals can be present in ground water before they are considered to pose a health risk. The EPA has set acceptable limits of perchlorate in the past, but due to recent media attention, is being forced to reevaluate the risk and the need for cleanup. Scientists are busy composing volumes of research on perchlorate. This article will examine some of the highlights of current research, politics, and consumer concerns.