Columbia River pollutants at unacceptable levels, EPA says

[rowenaman]

The Oregonian 1/15/09

Contamination in the Columbia River basin poses an "unacceptable risk" to people, fish and wildlife, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday after issuing its first comprehensive report on toxic pollution in the massive Columbia system.

The EPA report compiles monitoring data in the Columbia and its tributaries since 1990 for four well-known and long-lasting hazardous pollutants. The sources of those substances range from water running off farms and industrial lands to wastewater from sewage treatment plants.

Decades after it was banned, the pesticide DDT is slowly diminishing but still accumulating in fish at levels far above human health limits near agricultural areas throughout the basin, the report said, including portions of the Willamette and Snake rivers.

Levels of PCBs, an industrial chemical now banned but once widely used, are declining, too, but remain high around Portland and other urban areas, probably because of runoff from industrial sites.

Meantime, levels of mercury and of fire retardant, one of a host of "emerging" toxic substances that originate in consumer products, appear to be rising.

Complete article here: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/01/columbia_river_toxins_at_unacc.html

This news won't keep us off the river, but it's well worth being aware of what we are sailing in. Working to get our river healthier is a critical need, and I hope beyond political affiliations. All river users (fish included) are affected.

[WMP]

PGE Boardman really needs to go away. Pollution released by this PGE power plant is exposing us to one of the most hazardous compounds on the planet.... mercury.

Here's a few of the symptoms of mercury poisoning...

- irritability
- anxiety/nervousness, often with difficulty in breathing
- restlessness
- exaggerated response to stimulation
- fearfulness
- emotional instability
-lack of self control
-fits of anger, with violent, irrational behavior
- loss of self confidence
- indecision
- shyness or timidity, being easily embarrassed
- loss of memory
- inability to concentrate
- lethargy/drowsiness
- insomnia
- mental depression, despondency
- withdrawal
- suicidal tendencies
- manic depression

- numbness and tingling of hands, feet, fingers, toes, or lips
- muscle weakness progressing to paralysis
- ataxia
- tremors/trembling of hands, feet, lips, eyelids or tongue
- incoordination
- myoneural transmission failure resembling Myasthenia Gravis

If we really want to do something about pollution in the Columbia River Gorge,
PGE Boardman is certainly a good place to start.

.

[londonpacific1]

Guess that just means I have to get better at nailing my jibes.....

[WMP]

[mik377]

Maybe this is why you still feel dirty after coming out of the water. The Columbia is an industrial toilet for battery plants, paper mills, defunct nuclear sites etc. Indians who eat alot of salmon are really paying the price for the Boardman coal plant. Maybe we can replace it with more wind power.