Study connects Manganese in well water to lower IQ in children

 A recent study conducted by Canadian researchers provides striking evidence that children exposed to high concentration of Manganese in tap water tested lower in standard IQ tests.
"We found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children exposed to higher concentrations of manganese in drinking water," lead author Maryse Bouchard said in a news release. "Yet manganese concentrations were well below current guidelines." 
The results of the study are published in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Manganese, is a free element in nature that seeps into water sources. As a free element, manganese is a metal which finds its way into ground water sources through natural seepage. 

The Canadian study focused on drinking water as the source of exposure for the 350 plus 362 children  that were examined in this research project. It seems to me that an even greater impact may come from exposure when showering. A study performed in 2005 suggested a link between manganese inhalation and nervous system toxicity. It was hypothesized that long term exposure to naturally occurring manganese in shower water put as many as 8.7 million Americans at risk. Manganism, a disease similar to Parkinson Disease, has been linked to exposure to manganese.

Manganese is very common in ground water sources throughout the US and Canada. I strongly recommend annual testing if you rely on well or spring water for your home. Don't take for granted the water is safe that just because looks clean. If tests show manganese is present, get a filter that will reduce or remove it. 


 thanks for stopping by.
AP

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Drugs on tap; Keeping Pharmecuticals Out Of Our Water Supply

There is a lot to be concerned about when it comes to contaminants in our water supplies. One of the biggest concern in recent years has been the discovery of measurable concentrations of  Pharmaceutical drugs in public water supplies. Improvements in our ability to test for such contaminants has lead to the realization that  these drugs are present and in concentrations that are concerning to say the least. The EPA ha funded a Pilot "Mail-Back Program" in an effort to asses the viability of preventing consumers from disposing of leftover prescription medications in ways that allow them to get in into the water supply systems. With the amount of prescriptions being improperly disposed of, there is real cause for concern, especially for young children and the elderly. Below is a press release that came out today about the EPA funded program.
 

ENVIRO NEWS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2010

Report Released on Pharmaceutical Mail-back Pilot Program Funded by EPA

Agency provided $150,000 grant to University of Maine's Center on Aging
to undertake study

WASHINGTON -Through a grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the University of Maine's Center on Aging has completed
the first statewide mail-back pilot program for managing pharmaceutical
waste from consumers. Studies show that pharmaceuticals are present in
our nation's waterbodies and that certain drugs may cause ecological
harm. EPA is currently evaluating the potential risks associated with
pharmaceuticals and personal care products on public health and aquatic
life.

"This pilot is important because it has filled research gaps about the
volumes and types of medications that can end up in our waters, and
affect our ecosystems," said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for
EPA's Office of Water. "The pilot also gave residents a way to serve as
environmental stewards to reduce water pollution."

The program included the use of mailers to return unused and unwanted
medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, from households.

Maine Care (Maine's Medicaid program) established a limit for certain
drugs on the quantity that can be filled with an initial prescription.
This policy is targeted at reducing the supply and accumulation of
unused medications and to prevent pollution. The Maine legislature also
recognized the value of the take-back pilot and enacted legislation to
continue the program for an additional two years. As part of the EPA
grant, the University of Maine's Center on Aging  developed a handbook
on the project and collected data on the type and amount of unused
medications.

The grant is part of EPA's larger efforts to protect the health of older
adults and encourage older adults to engage in environmental stewardship
in their communities. Older adults were actively involved in the design
and implementation of the safe medicine disposal; for Maine pilot
program.

To view the executive summary of the report:
http://www.epa.gov/aging/RX-report-Exe-Sum/


CONTACT:
Enesta Jones
jones.enesta@epa.gov
202-564-7873
202-564-4355


Pharmaceuticals in my water is very bad news.

AP

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