Potomac Water Watch a Potomac headwaters RC&D project.

1. Potomac Water Watcha Potomac headwaters RC&D project. Presents “Know what is in Your Rivers, Your Drinking Water and Your Body” Abby Chapple

2. BACKGROUND • This Potomac Headwaters RC&D project began as 1. an answer to the discovery of a new category of water pollution by USGS, emerging contaminants and EDCs; 2. a reaction to dead fish in the local rivers • This led to the creation of Potomac Water Watch (PWW) by four environmental groups . • PWW hold the first prescription-return program in West Virginia in the next few months. • Education is a major component -- see our current brochure.

3. DDT – Restricted in 1972 for human & ecosystem dangers Asbestos – Caused fatal diseases Formaldehyde – UFFI banned believed cancer causing TRIS – Banned from children’s sleepwear Mercury INTRODUCTIONSome Good Products with Dark Sides

4. HISTORY • 1962 – “Silent Spring” • 1972 – Consumer Product Safety Commission • 1974 -- Safe Drinking Water Act • 1977 – Clean Water Act (Begun in 1972) • 1996 – “Our Stolen Future” • 2001 – POP Treaty • 2002 – 1st USGS Nationwide look at pharmaceuticals, hormones, organic contaminants in US streams

5. What is Happening Now? In the Potomac, South Branch, Cacapon and Sleepy Creek, Shenandoah…among many other waterbodies across the United States • Amphibians are deformed • Our fish are dying

6. Many have Intersex. Many have sores. Our rivers, our drinking water, and our bodies are polluted with man-made chemicals (EDCs) and prescription drugs

7. FOCUS“A Reconnaissance for Emerging Contaminants in the South Branch Potomac River, Cacapon River & Williams River Basins WV April-October 2004”by USGS“This study found that some EDCs are nearly ubiquitous in the environment…”

8. WHAT IS AN EDC? “EDCs are man-made chemicals that can mimic natural hormones fooling the body into a. over responding to the stimulus b. responding at inappropriate times c. blocking the effects of a hormone d. causing over- or under-production of hormones.” According to the EPA So Let me give you a few examples………………..

9. THE BUG-ICIDES LINDANE –an anti-scabes and headlice product when used on people. NAPHTHALENE – used in synhetic dyes, as a fumigant and a solvent.

10. FLAME RETARDANTSPolybromated Dipenyl Ethers(BDE 47,BDE 99,BDE 100)Used in TVs, computers, cell phones. In the home it will migrate into dust and be inhalesTRIS -Tetrabromobisphenol AIn 1977 the flame-retarding additive TRISused in children’s Sleepwearwas discovered to be carcinogenic, prompting a recall, and leading to the abandonment of such additives

11. PHENOLS4-TERT-OCTL-PHENOL • GOOD - Carbolic Acid is an antiseptic • DARK – Used for execution, causes anorexia Production of aspirin, weed killers, Bakelite (phenol w. formaldehyde) exfoliant in cosmetic surgery, ingrown nails. Used to make bisphenol A which is intermediates in manufacture of nylon and epoxy resins “Slimicides,” disinfectants, detergents, ear & nose drops & mouthwashes Product Examples • Chloraseptic • Sunglasses and CDs Polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin

12. Bisphenol A • One particular phenol that is getting a lot of attention: bisphenol A. There are two ways it is used that you need to be aware of. • Plastic Lining of cans – vegetables, fruit, soda and beer. Has been shown to cause obesity. • It is also in many plastic bottles and the main concern is that bisphenol A leaches into the milk and water. It mimics estrogen affecting body hormones and has been shown to cause obesity • AVOID ALL BOTTLES WITH A “7” IN THE RECYCLING LOGO!

13. ANTIBIOTIC CLEANERS5-cloro-2-(2,4-dchlorophenoxy) phenol GOOD Was thought to control bacteria contamination… DARK – …doesn’t do any more that good ‘ole soap an water. Use builds up resistant microbes Somewhat toxic Can bio-accumulate Affects thyroid is an ED • TRICLOSAN Clearasil Daily Face Wash Colgate Total Range Softsoap (original) Right Guard Deodorant Sensodyne Total Care Old Spice Mentadent

14. PHTHYLATES diethyl-hexyl phthalate (DEHP) Vinyl is in the “Poison Plastic.” NEW CAR SMELL NEW SHOWER CURTAIN SMELL AVOID ALL PLASTIC THAT ARE MARKED WITH A “3” • GOOD – Used as a plasticizer to increase flexibility • DARK – It is an EDC It is Toxic May mimic estrogen • TOYS • COSMETICS • PERFUMES • Calvin Klein “Eternity” • Gucci “Envy Me” • Joop “Nightflight • Paco Rabanne “Excess” • Chanel “No 5” • Christian Dior “Poison” (Aptly named)

15. Fish Human Connection “The Pollution Within.” • National Geographic paid a journalist to have his “body burden” of chemicals tested. • 165 chemicals were found in his body Flame retardants PBDE (same as in USGS study) • PCBs • Phenols • Phthalates • Per fluorinated acids PFAs (Scotchgard) • Mercury • The testing that was done is known as biomonitoring.

16. BIOMONITORING The CDC has found that most humans are filled with EDCs. One study of 2500 people showed that 92% were found to contain Bispehenol A

17. QUESTIONS What are the abnormal fish trying to tell us? That there are pollutants in out water. How do these pollutants get into our water and our bodies?

18. The Crux of the Matter • Some are Airborne • Some come from the agricultura and residential lands – “runoff” • Humans are recycling them We are recycling pollutants because of our habits and the products we use. There is no attempt to treat or remove any additional wastewater pollutants since EPA has not established a requirement to do so, this includes endocrine disruptors. These pollutants come from products that flow down a drain or excreted by the body.

19. CONCLUSIONS GENERALLY- • More testing is needed- of water & humans • Present water pollution laws need to be strictly enforced – they are minimums. • More and stronger ordinances & laws need to be created – for example,Evidence for the migration of steroidal estrogens through riverbed sediments

20. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Don't flush away old or unused medications. • Maintain a significant buffer strip along waterways. • Don't use antibacterial hand cleaners  • Work to improve home and community septic systems • Find alternative products to those with harmful contents

21. Potomac Water Watch Supported by Potomac Headwaters RC&D Formed just this by four environment groups Appalachian Center for the Economy and Environment West Virginia Rivers Coalition Cacapon River Institute Friends of the Cacapon River We are citizen volunteers concerned about these issues and are communicating via our website. www.potomacwaterwatch.org