A couple of news items about arsenic in the water...
Residents of Cow Island, Louisiana, have complained about their water, and sure enough, it turns out to have elevated levels of arsenic. Arsenic is a carcinogen. However, a study was done...
The study used data from the Louisiana Tumor Registry for a statewide study that compared the cancer rate in other parts of the state with the residents of Cow Island.
No significant increase was found. But according to Dr. Ratard, that doesn't mean there isn't a problem.
"No significant increase". Arsenic will be removed to reduce a risk that's too small to measure. It seems that no price is too high, no burden to great, for that last morsel of theoretical safety.
Well, almost no burden...
Now, neighbors of a planned arsenic treatment facility are ready to re-fight the project, contending that the large water tanks are higher than they were led to believe and could block their views and lower their property values.
Fine. Let them sign waivers acknowledging that arsenic levels will remain elevated, in exchange for their views and their property values. But don't let any of them tell you "if it saves even one life, it's worth the cost." Apparently, it's only worth the cost if someone else pays it.
No comments:
Post a Comment