Investigating potential sources of environmental perchlorate contamination

ENVR 140

Carolyn S. Higgins, chig7700@postoffice.uri.edu and Patrick R. Bowden, pbowden@chm.uri.edu. Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, 51 Lower College Rd, Kingston, RI 02881
Perchlorate, a commonly used oxidizing agent, has been found in ground and surface waters throughout the United States. In early 2005, a National Academy of Sciences study found that perchlorate can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. The EPA has become increasingly concerned about the possible risk to public health due to perchlorate contamination of ground water. In order to combat and attenuate this risk, the sources of environmental perchlorate contamination need to be identified, followed by an assessment of the amount of perchlorate each is capable of releasing. We present here the results of studies investigating the possible role of anthropogenic sources of perchlorate in environmental contamination — road flares, propellants and commercial mining blasting agents.
 

General Papers
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Division of Environmental Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007