Bill targets perchlorate in water

On the first day in 12 years that Democrats have controlled Congress, California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein chose to take on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by introducing bills to set standards on a rocket fuel chemical fouling water supplies nationwide.

The EPA has not regulated the chemical, perchlorate, and decided last month not to require testing of water supplies to detect it.

Boxer and Feinstein introduced two bills on Thursday that would require tests and regulation.

Perchlorate has tainted water supplies in Rialto, Colton, Glen Avon, Redlands, San Bernardino and other Inland communities, prompting water agencies to remove the contamination or rely on other sources for drinking water.

The chemical is used in rocket fuel, munitions, fireworks and other explosives, and is found in some fertilizers. In sufficient doses, perchlorate can impair the thyroid gland's ability to make hormones that regulate metabolism and guide brain and nerve development in fetuses and babies.

from the Press-Enterprise