According to the EPA, everything is under control and there are no real health threats to people in the area of the contaminated Animas River and downstream. Not to worry, no problem, all is well – except that their own tests revealed the following: levels of lead 3,580 times higher than the acute exposure level for human drinking water; levels of arsenic 823 times higher than the level safe for human ingestion; levels of cadmium 33 times higher than the safe limit for humans; not to mention all the other heavy metals.
Federal officials say initial tests on sediments collected downstream show no risk to people using Colorado’s Animas River, yet concentrations of metals, including lead, thallium, silver and antimony, had increased.
The river is now open for recreational pursuits. However, you will not find me anywhere near the river or riverbed – not with those statistics. Of course, there are risks in using the river. The feds are lying to us – again.
This is a major health disaster for all life in this area. The EPA is not revealing everything, of course. The truth of this major disaster would cause people to run for their lives. The sediment will continue to be stirred up by rain and runoff for a long time. I just hope people take great care and do all they can to protect themselves, their children, and the plants and animals. The EPA certainly won’t.
Susan Page
Durango
