The U.S. Geological Survey has released Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001, a ten-year survey of the contamination caused by pesticide use in agriculture and urbanized areas. Every year, nearly one billion pounds of pesticides, many of which are linked to cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and environmental impacts, are used in the U.S., much of it ending up in our nation's waterways. When pesticides are applied on fields, gardens, parks and lawns, a percentage of the chemicals end up drifting or running off the treated site.
Studies of major rivers and streams find that 96 percent of all fish, 100 percent of all surface water samples and 33 percent of major aquifers contain one or more pesticides at detectable levels.
"The data shows an urgent need to strengthen policies at all levels of government and curtail pesticide use," said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides, a national information and advocacy group.
"This report underscores the need to strengthen, not weaken, water quality protections from toxic pesticides that pollute rivers, stream, lakes and our underground water supplies," said Patience Caso, program Coordinator for Clean Water Action Alliance n Minnesota.
As the USGS report shows, pesticides are getting into the drinking water sources for millions of Americans. These contaminants combine with disinfectants, such as chlorine, added by drinking water providers to kill dangerous viruses, bacteria and pathogens, and form disinfectant by-products that are associated with increasing birth defects and miscarriages.
