🚀 go-pugleaf

Subject: MILLIONS EXPOSED TO CARCINOGENS IN TAP WATER, SURVEY SHOWS (fwd)

In case you missed Jay Hanson's latest contribution:  here it is again
with the desired reaction.

>    MILLIONS EXPOSED TO CARCINOGENS IN TAP WATER, SURVEY SHOWS

>Arsenic, Radon and Chlorine Byproducts Prevalent at Unsafe Levels

Really?! What's the threshold for acute and chronic effects for arsenic,
radon, and chlorine byproducts?
(initial scepticism is tolerated)

>   Yet Congress Rolling Back Safe Drinking Water Protections

They must want all of us to die!
(Now that's more like it)

>      One or more carcinogens contaminate the tap water of 102 million
>Americans at significant levels, says a new survey of major water
>utilites and previously unpublished industry data.  Trouble on Tap,
>released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council and two other
>environmental groups, examines public exposure to arsenic, radon and
>chlorine by-products called trihalomethanes.

What's a significant level?  1 part per trillion, 10 parts per million, 15
wt percent?... help me out here...
(Don't worry about the facts, just let your fear take over..)

>      Current standards for these cancer-causing chemicals are either
>non-existent or hopelessly outdated and so significant exposure can
>occur without violating any laws and without the public being notified.
>Senate drinking water legislation as well as provisions in the EPA
>appropriations bill would delay or weaken new health standards that
>specifically address these contaminants.

Who's behind this conspiracy?  Let me guess.... it must be (GASP!) "BIG
BUSINESS" and "THE GOVERNMENT" (also known as Lucifer and Jezabel in
environmental circles)

>      "Many water utilities know they have carcinogens in their water at
>significant levels, but they've never told their customers," said Erik
>Olson, NRDC water expert and the report's primary author.  "They should
>inform their customers and they should invest in the readily available
>and affordable technology that can protect their customers.  Instead,
>they've invested in lobbying Congress to force continued inaction and to
>keep the public in the dark."

These BASTARDS  (read water utilities) are trying to cover it up!!  They
probably spent even MORE lobbying Congress than they would trying to
protect us, their unsuspecting customers.  They truly are DESPICABLE human
beings.  NO! they're probably ALIENS trying to kill us all and take over
the world!...

>      Bottled water is not a solution for chlorine byproducts
>(trihalomethanes) or radon because most exposure occurs from inhaling
>water vapor while bathing or showering.   Correcting faulty systems is
>not only possible, it's being done by some progressive utilities.

There is NO escape.   We're all doomed.

>      "Customers should not panic but they should demand strong drinking
>water laws and strong action from their water utilities.  We know that
>it's easy to remove these cancer-causing chemicals because some water
>systems already are protecting their customers using affordable
>measures.  Why won't the others follow their lead?" Olson said.

You mean all we have to do is ask "Jezabel" and the "Bastards" to change
their wicked ways?
 
>      The following numbers of people exposed are taken from a survey by
>NRDC, Clean Water Action and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group
>sent to nearly 300 of the nation's largest water utilities serving about
>half the U.S. population.  Because it does not cover the smaller
>utilities and because over half of those surveyed refused to respond,
>our numbers reflect the bare minimum of Americans exposed to these
>carcinogens.

I'm lucky to still be breathing!   That's enough... I'm convinced.  Who do
I make the check out to?  Clean Water Action, the NRDC?  BOTH?! Oh
alright... since it's a question of life and death... 

..... By the way,  are you guys incorporated yet?   Just kidding!  I KNOW
you're the "GOOD GUYS"...

On a more serious note: beware of apocalyptic reports about our health and
environment. Overlegislating to correct a non-existent or negligible
problem has already cost us dearly in terms of economic competitiveness. 
Remember this:  you and I are the ones who always end up footing the bill,
so be careful what you ask for...

Dan P.