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Q&A
Questions often come up about our health and the environment. While we
don't have all the answers, we can share a few responses. If you have
other suggested questions, please e-mail us and we'll post more answers over time.
How can I tell if my water is safe to drink?
If you draw water from a public water supply, request a copy of the
Annual Water Quality Report (or Consumer Confidence Report) from your
local utility. If you rely on private well water, be sure to test your
water for ARSENIC and other toxic contaminants. For all water supplies,
test for the presence of LEAD. Compare the results to health standards
to determine whether you need home water treatment. More info >>
Should my family avoid eating some fish?
Yes. If you are a woman of childbearing age or a young child, do not
eat any swordfish, shark or most fresh water fish, and limit your
consumption of canned tuna, due to mercury contamination. Other limits
also apply to everybody. Eat fish that are low in mercury. More info >>
What should I do with mercury-containing products?
Do not toss mercury products in the trash, including fluorescent light
bulbs and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. Instead, bring mercury
products to a local collection center for safe management. Keep using
fluorescent lights because there's no mercury-free alternative that's
as energy efficient. For all other uses, avoid buying products with
mercury and turn in those old mercury thermometers, etc. at the
collection site. More info >> Find a collection center near you >>
What's all the fuss about pressure treated wood?
Arsenic in the wood preservative comes off on your hands and bare skin,
presenting a significant cancer risk especially to young children who
normally put their fingers in their mouths. Decks, porches, railings,
swing sets and other structures made of pressure treated wood need to
be sealed every year or two to keep the arsenic from leaching out. New
residential uses of arsenic-treated wood are supposed to end beginning
in 2004. More info >>
PVC plastic seems benign; how can it harm my health?
Whenever polyvinyl chloride (PVC, or vinyl) burns, it forms highly
toxic dioxin, which has been linked to a variety of health problems.
PVC contributes most of the chlorine needed to form dioxin in waste
incinerators, burn barrels, home fires, car fires and landfill fires.
Toxic additives used in PVC can leach out during use and disposal.
Avoid PVC plastic whenever possible and support efforts to divert PVC
in the waste stream away from incineration. More info >>
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