Refreshing, Delicious Rocket Fuel (Updated)

An Environmental Protection Agency official said Tuesday there's a '"distinct possibility' the agency won't take action to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has contaminated public water supplies around the country."

Perchlorate, widely used by the military, "has been found in at least 395 sites in 35 states," the AP reports. "The toxin interferes with thyroid function and poses developmental health risks, particularly to fetuses."

Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the
Environmental Protection Agency, told a Senate hearing that EPA is aware that perchlorate is widespread and poses health risks.

But he said that after years of study, EPA has yet to determine whether regulating perchlorate in drinking water would do much good...

"I understand your frustration in how long the process is taking but we believe it's important to do the work," Grumbles said, promising a decision by the end of the year...

Grumbles told Boxer it was possible that instead of a regulation,
EPA would issue a public health advisory, which would simply provide information. After the hearing he told reporters that a decision to regulate perchlorate was also still on the table.

UPDATE: In the comments, Cirby highlights an interesting EPA study on the stuff, which suggests its not all that bad for you, at current levels. This Wikipedia page leads to many more reports on percholate.

(Photo: David Leonard; Slurp: Ares)