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| Heavy Pollution in Illinois Waterways |
A new study finds that Illinois has plenty of pollution in its water.
The report, put out by Environment Illinois, lists the waterways that receive the greatest toxic discharges from Illinois polluters, as well as the top industrial facilities for toxic pollutants, cancer-causing chemicals and developmental toxicants.
In 2007, industrial facilities dumped 8.8 million pounds of toxic waste into Illinois waterways based on chemical release data maintained by the federal government.
Of the 12 waterways in the nation that received the most toxic waste, four are in Illinois with the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, and Rock Rivers.
Environmental Law and Policy Center Staff Attorney Brad Klein points the fingers of blame for water pollution at federal agencies. "It's the government's job to enforce the laws that limit these poisons and keep our waters safe," Klein said. "And it's our job to hold the government and polluters accountable. We call on the Illinois and federal Environmental Protection Agencies to aggressively enforce the Clean Water Act, to protect our rights to drink, swim, and fish safely in our rivers, streams, and lakes."
According to the report, the Ohio River was first in the nation in total toxic discharges dumping more than 31-million pounds of toxins in waterways. The Mississippi River was third worst with 12.7 million pounds of toxic discharge and the Illinois and Rock Rivers were 11th and 12th with nearly 4-million pounds of toxic discharge.
Environmentalists say there may be pollution violations that government regulators aren't catching, and the Clean Water Act of 1972 requires polluters to find ways to reduce their pollution. which some are doing, but many are not.
To see the complete report, CLICK HERE. |
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| 11 10 09 by Newsroom |
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