Comments on: Context for Chemical in Ann Arbor Water

By: Mark Stock

Mark Stock — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:33:44 +0000

NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, is dedicated to being the leading global provider of public health and safety-based risk management solutions while serving the interests of all stakeholders.
NSF International is a local company on Geddes road that also have expertise in drinking water testing.

By: VelhoSorriso

VelhoSorriso — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:20:56 +0000

As you've probably seen in the LA Times article: In short, the ill effects from inhaling hexavalent chromium are well-known; the effects of drinking it aren't, as yet, quite as clear. But suffice to say it's done lab mice little good. [link] Of mice and men...

By: Fritz

Fritz — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 20:24:11 +0000

If only there was a major university with a large chemistry department nearby…

By: shel

shel — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:20:34 +0000

I disagree with Stephen here…the ‘purpose of their existence’ is exactly what they achieve when they do the test-reporting that inspires the authorities to address the issue at hand. They do not claim to have done some conclusive scientific study. They claim to have taken samples from various locations, to have tested these, and they point out that these are levels some people who’ve studied the issue (in this case, CA state officials) believe to be a public health problem.
I applaud the work they do. They have a strong history of pointing out toxins we are exposed to because industry or governments have decided it would be ‘too much trouble’ to remove them from our water or food or everyday products.
They tend to take the research and the established guidelines first adopted and conducted elsewhere–like in the EU where parabens and BPA and PBDEs and so on were banned long before the US started to become concerned about them in our stuff–and show how we are being exposed to it here at levels others deem unsafe.
I think that’s important, useful work!

By: Stephen Landes

Stephen Landes — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:20:48 +0000

EWG has done a disservice to the Ann Arbor community and the regulatory process at the same time. By announcing THERE’S HEX CHROME IN OUR WATER when there is in fact no consensus that what they may have found constitutes a problem initially raises concerns that require our water supply professionals to calm. In addition, raising false worries makes the regulatory process less effective and more cumbersome.

EWG did not do any kind of valid study, certainly not something that was worthy of being trumpeted in press releases and then being picked up by media outlets. Phony “news” from a do-gooder group in search of a meaning for their existence.