After two years of study and hearings, Oregon’s DEQ has a plan to make our streams, rivers and lakes safer for people and wildlife.
I’ve written about these toxic chemicals before. They’re called “persistent pollutants” because it takes years or even decades before they break down in the environment. Over time they get into the food chain and become a threat to the health of people, animals and fish.
The latest news is that DEQ says it now has a better idea of where these chemicals come from and how they get into Oregon’s waterways. It’s also suggesting ways to reduce the level of these chemicals in the environment, so they pose less of a danger.
What’s the best way to control them? DEQ says the answer is prevention.
Some ideas under consideration:
- Banning some of the pollutants.
- Requiring businesses to design products that use less of the chemicals.
- Phasing out some of the chemicals when safer alternatives become available.
- Educating the public on the risks of these chemicals, and the best way to dispose of products that contain them.
Where do they come from?
- Household products such as medications, disinfectants, perfumes and the non-stick coating used in cookware.
- Flame retardants, known as PBDEs are used in electronics and furniture. Oregon and Washington have banned the most common types of PBDEs.
- Pesticides, whether they’re used on the farm, in forests, or on the lawns and gardens of our homes.
- Legacy pollutants, such as DDT, are still a problem even though they may have been banned decades ago.
What’s next?
In the coming year, DEQ will set “trigger levels” for these pollutants in our wastewater. 52 of Oregon’s largest wastewater systems will have to monitor how much of these chemicals are being discharged into our rivers and streams. If a chemical goes above the “trigger level”, officials will have to design a plan to reduce it in the wastewater. These plans are due by July of 2011.
Today, DEQ released a report on persistent pollutants to the Legislature. This worked is mandated under Senate Bill 737, approved by lawmakers in 2007.
The prevention measures outlined in the report may require new rules, or new laws, to make sure they’re carried out.
For More Information:
Oregon DEQ: Addressing Priority Persistent Pollutants in Oregon’s Water
Related Story:
17% of toxins in Portland water come from atmospheric deposition of air toxics. WIll be interesting to see if the agency will think “outside of the silo” and develop a multi-media reduction program.