In 2004, the US Environmental Protection Agency reported that diesel fuel, used as a fracturing fluid, results in toxic compounds being left underground, “likely to be transported by groundwater supplies.”

In the wake of EWG’s report, New York City Councilman James F. Gennaro demanded the state acknowledge its lack of testing in the matter and perform tests to see whether the proposed chemicals would be dangerous to the NYC water supply.

In response to concerns expressed by scientists, the EPA in January issued a “health advisory” on perchlorate and asked for review of the issue from the National Academy of Sciences. Meanwhile, infants are getting too much perchlorate, from both the powdered formula and from the water used to mix it.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) identifies perchlorate as a thyroid toxin that particularly affects infants and fetuses.

The EPA last year decided not to regulate perchlorate as a drinking water pollutant, according to the medicalnewstoday.com article.

I am thrilled to be able to filter it now, do a good job, get high flow, and no maintenance (except once a year, changing the filter). I’m especially happy because we have two kids with Asperger’s, and it seems that people on the autism spectrum have trouble getting toxins out of their bodies.

However, the most important thing to do is keep grass clippings and excess fertilizer off the sidewalks and streets. These are the two main culprits in polluting our streams with phosphates, according to the Colorado State Extension Service.

Study authors expressed concern for infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. They also called for comprehensive improvements in the nation’s water supply systems.