Our World

Fish at 3M

There was news out today that fish tested in the Mississippi near a 3M plant turned up positive for a chemical called PFOS, which is used in carpets, fabrics, and paper products. Humans aren't at any risk right now because the chemical was found in fish blood, which is not consumed by humans, but it still has people worried. The Minnesota Senate environmental and natural resources committee have scheduled a hearing for Monday. This article somewhat goes along with the pollution that we were recently talking about in College Geo. This problem isn't about green house gases or acid rain, but nonetheless it is uneeded pollution. 3M did stop using this chemical in 2002 but the amount that was found in the river was 10 times higher than normal. This certainly raises some questions about how damaging this could be to that area and just how long a chemical like this will pollute the water since it hasn't been used since the year 2002. I think 3M was responsible by giving up use of the chemical and are taking responsiblity by using their own tests in fish as well. Companies that pollute the environment need to step up and take action for their responsibilities. My hope is that other companies will do the same and conduct their own tests and make reductions or cuts in their chemicals to better our environments.

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posted by Kevin Hurd @ 2/26/2006 12:59:00 PM