Attention milk drinkers, particularly pregnant women and young
children: you should exercise caution if your milk is from California
because of the likelihood it has been exposed to harmful levels
of toxins found in rocket fuel. The toxin in question, perchlorate,
is used to make rocket fuel and has also been tied to thyroid damage.
Traces of Perchlorate
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Was found in the drinking water of over 20 states
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One of the states it was found, California, has some of the
strongest military, defense and space program connections
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Traces were discovered in the Colorado River, which is considered
the main source of drinking water supply in both Southern California
and Arizona
Differing Views on the Pechlorate Discovery
While one environmental group didn't advise Californians against
milk consumption, they did call for stricter standards for perchlorate.
Researchers are torn between the effects of perchlorate on cognitive
functioning and what guidelines should be for safe and harmful exposure
levels.
Until that is determined, the California dairy industry plans to
investigate how perchlorate is being released into milk and then
come up with ways to remove it.
USA
Today June 22, 2004
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