A study released in 2009 lists the Ohio River as leading the nation in total toxic discharges.
The EA study stated that about 31 million pounds of toxic substances went into the river in 2007. Of these, about 96,699 pounds are considered cancer causing and 29,665 pounds are reproductive toxic chemicals.
Yet, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORANSCO) identifies the river as the drinking water source for more than three million people.
The report, “Wasting Our Waterways,” recalls a 1969 incident in which the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, caught fire. The impact of a major urban river burning helped spur such actions as the Federal Clean Water Act which relates to industrial discharges.
- 46% of the pollution in the nation’s waterways come from factories, power plants and other industrial facilities.
Cyanide, chromium , arsenic compounds, lead, dioxin and benzene are among 91 different chemicals dumped into the Ohio River from 99 facilities in six states.
“Metals such as cobalt, nickel, lead, chromium and arsenic can persist in the environment for long periods of time,” the report states.
(A full copy of the report is available in pdf form by clicking: http://www.newsandsentinel.com/pdf/news/523273_1.pdf)
photo credit: Joel Washing
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