An examination of the substance known as perchlorate, a chemical found in some vegetables.
This paper examines the problem of perchlorate contamination. The paper explains how the chemical is typically used, how it has seeped into the groundwater supply, the potentially hazardous effects it can have on humans, and what is being done to address the perchlorate contamination. The paper also reports on the efforts of government regulatory agencies, the private sector, and the Department of Defense to eliminate the threat of perchlorate contamination.
“According to the FDA, perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and a man-made chemical. While natural perchlorate is primarily found in nitrate fertilizer deposits in Chile, manufactured perchlorate is used in the United States (and other countries as well) as the primary ingredient of solid rocket propellant (FDA 2003). Perchlorate has also been used for many years as an ingredient in such things as fireworks and was, until about 50 years ago, used as a medication for certain thyroid conditions. For much of this century, however, the primary use for perchlorate has been in making propellant fuels for missiles to be used in our defense of the Cold War. Several corporations have been contracted by our government to produce this fuel and, over the years, a huge amount of perchlorate has found its way into groundwaters via the disposal practices of these corporations.”