Arsenic

When May 3 rolls around it will be "a full 18 months before the presidential election" ("Political Reality Television," editorial, April 22). By the time we get to the actual election, Iraq will be old news and the nation will be focused on other things, like the tanking economy, ballooning deficits and arsenic in the drinking water. The Bushies will have to do some very fancy dancing on TV to get around those embarrassments. The Democrats' call may very well be, "It's not the war, it's the economy, stupid!"

Atop Hawaii's Mauna Loa, thrust 13,680 feet into the sky, one would expect nothing but the freshest of air, save the occasional gaseous burp from the volcano. But environmental monitoring stations crowding the peak record arsenic, copper and zinc kicked into the atmosphere five to 10 days earlier from smelting in China, thousands of miles away. When industrial pollution first showed up at Mauna Loa a few years ago, scientists were startled. Now, after intense study, they know that the pollution that dirties the world's largest cities affects the whole Earth.

Re "Albuquerque Battles to Leave Arsenic in the Water," March 18: I was appalled to read how Albuquerque politicians would rather leave cancer-causing arsenic in their water than pay to adhere to new federal standards. It just proves that only money makes this world go 'round. Albuquerque's mayor said, "We're not aware of people dropping off from arsenic poisoning." Apparently, it seems he would rather have people die first, before he will agree to adopt the tougher EPA standards. And neither the EPA nor the federal government is willing to help offset the expenses to provide the cleaner water.

In this desert metropolis, where it is glaringly apparent that well water brings life, most townspeople refuse to believe that the arsenic in it can also bring death. "I'm born and raised here, and I'm still here," said Mayor Martin Chavez, echoing the sentiments of many of his constituents. "My grandparents lived long lives here. We've been here for several hundred years, and we're just fine, thank you."

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that arsenic-treated lumber--the green-tinted wood on decks and play sets across the country--will be phased out of the residential market over the next two years. The voluntary decision by producers to pull the arsenic-treated lumber, known to most do-it-yourselfers as pressure-treated wood, off the market was the result of months of negotiations between the EPA and the companies that produce the pesticide.

Talks underway between federal regulators and lumber industry officials could result in wood decks, playground equipment and picnic tables treated with a preservative containing arsenic being taken off the market soon. The discussions focus on chromated copper arsenate, or CCA, a pesticide used to protect lumber from decay and insect damage.

A study of commonly used pressure-treated lumber purchased at home improvement stores nationwide suggests that the risk of arsenic exposure from the boards is higher than previously feared, an environmental organization said Wednesday.

As many as 40 water providers in Kern County may need to begin expensive treatments because wells exceed national arsenic standards. Water bills could increase by $327 a year for customers of wells that need treatment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. Water agencies are hoping the EPA makes good on its promise to help pay for treatment. "We're seeking any type of relief we can find," said Chris Kelly, general manager of Rand Communities Water District.

Re "Bush Team OKs Clinton Arsenic Rules," Nov. 1: I was overjoyed on Thursday when, while drinking my filtered-water-brewed coffee, I read the article outlining EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman's decision to raise drinking water standards for arsenic levels. As a practicing environmentalist I view this as a huge victory. In this era of national terror the environment not only takes a back seat, but it is shoved in the back of the American public's flag-clad sport-utility vehicles.

The Bush administration announced Wednesday that it will require an 80% reduction in the amount of arsenic in drinking water, implementing the same Clinton administration standard that it blocked eight months ago. By making her decision Wednesday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman likely was seizing the last opportunity to set her own standard.