Perchlorate Fireworks

Regular visitors to VanishingZero are probably aware of the concern expressed by many toxicologists and other scientists over attempts to regulate perchlorate, a naturally occurring environmental constituent, to levels below those required for environmental arsenic.  This despite that fact that there have been no reliable data found to connect trace (parts per billion) perchlorate exposures to any public health event or incident.  In the view of many, the perchlorate debate has evolved into a political issue that in some quarters is being pressed at the expense of the use of sound science in determining public policy.  A recent note in the October 2006 issue of  "Mainstream," published by the American Water Works Association demonstrates a consequence of the mindest "If you can detect it, you should regulate it." Titled "Perchlorate Fears Douse Fireworks," the front-page blurb said the following:

"Massachusetts' adoption of a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 2 ppb for perchlorate in late July apparently doused plans for fireworks at the annual Harwich Cranberry Festival on Cape Cod in September.

Perchlorate, a chemical that disrupts thyroid functions, is used as a propellant for fireworks and persists in water for decades.

Raising concerns about contamination of the aquifer used for the city's water supply, water commissioners would have asked the festival for a $10 million bond for caonamination cleanup, but Harwich selectmen voted to ban any perchlorate-based fireworks displays in the aquifer's recharge area.

The fireworks company offered to switch to a nitrates-based display but then found its insurance company wouldn't cover environmental contamination."