The Environmental Protection Agency approved changes to the way Kentucky will measure selenium in its water, a controversial move the coal industry and the state favor, but that environmentalists have criticized, Erica Peterson reports for WFPL Radio in Louisville. Under current regulations, "Kentucky’s water quality standard for selenium is based on
the amount of the substance that’s in the water." Under the new regulations, "If water testing reveals levels that are above a
certain benchmark, that will trigger fish-tissue testing."
Critics say catching fish to sample will be difficult. The EPA said: “In the event that sufficient fish tissue cannot be obtained, the permit holder will be deemed to be in non-compliance . . . for exceeding the chronic trigger level of 5.0 µg/L.” Selenium, "a naturally-occurring substance that's released into waterways during strip mining," is "toxic to both aquatic life and humans, Peterson writes. "The substance also bio-accumulates up the food chain, so as fish eat other fish, levels of selenium rise." (Read more) To read the letter the EPA sent announcing its decision, click here. More more background, go here.
Critics say catching fish to sample will be difficult. The EPA said: “In the event that sufficient fish tissue cannot be obtained, the permit holder will be deemed to be in non-compliance . . . for exceeding the chronic trigger level of 5.0 µg/L.” Selenium, "a naturally-occurring substance that's released into waterways during strip mining," is "toxic to both aquatic life and humans, Peterson writes. "The substance also bio-accumulates up the food chain, so as fish eat other fish, levels of selenium rise." (Read more) To read the letter the EPA sent announcing its decision, click here. More more background, go here.
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