Health Report Raises Dispute Over Great Lakes Pollution

[flashl]

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON — Top federal health officials said Wednesday that they had asked the Institute of Medicine, the government’s premier medical adviser, to referee a dispute over a report suggesting that pollution in the Great Lakes region may have serious health consequences for people who live there, including infant mortality and breast cancer.

“It’s a good way to get a really high-quality and completely objective scientific review,” said Dr. Henry Falk, who oversees environmental health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But Dr. Christopher T. De Rosa, a federal toxicology official who was a co-author of the report, said the Bush administration had suppressed it “because it implies injury.” He bemoaned the decision to ask for a review from the Institute of Medicine, which is part of the National Academy of Sciences.

...

The report, titled “Public Health Implications of Hazardous Substances in the 26 U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern,” was commissioned in 2001 by the International Joint Commission, an independent organization established by treaty to resolve disputes between Canada and the United States over the use and quality of boundary waters.

NY Times

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/us/13lakes.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1205409883-9PFrLvmUMCcmxs6IK+8Hhg

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OK, Great Lakes Du'ers this is some kind to 'trick', right? To keep Gov. Bill Richardson plans to share 'your' fresh water with the rest of 'us' from happening.

[pbca]

1. That won't happen

There can't be any more significant water diversions from the great lakes under a treaty between the U.S. and Canada - this is not one where the US could just 'do it anyway' because if the US did that Canada could divert most of the water to other areas before it reached the great lakes.

No water from the Great Lakes is going to the Southwestern U.S. or anywhere else.

[ensho]

2. kicking for justice for women and children's health

nt

[L0oniX]

3. Michigan is an old mercury dumping ground and I don't mean the car.

[OhioChick]

4. Lake Erie Isn't Much Better....

Years ago, I remember reading about syringes and such washing up on shore. Word had it back then it was from a very well known prestigious hospital nearby. I couldn't even begin to fathom what else is in there.

[Demeter]

5. They Don't Really Know

and they aren't telling us, either.