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Contaminants of emerging concern in the environment: Where we have been and what does the future hold?

December 1, 2018

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring alerted the nation to the dangers of manmade chemicals and indiscriminate use of pesticides. DDT was the culprit and its use threatened a variety of wildlife, including the national bird, bald eagles. In 1969, pressured by scientists and the public, the United States banned almost all uses of DDT; however, DDT was just the tip of the chemical iceberg. In 1996, Theo Colborn’s book, Our Stolen Future, again alerted the public to the dangers of chemical exposure. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals were identified as concerns because exposure to extremely small concentrations can have adverse effects on people and wildlife by interfering with chemical messaging systems, affecting things like sexual development and reproduction.

Publication Year 2018
Title Contaminants of emerging concern in the environment: Where we have been and what does the future hold?
Authors William A. Battaglin, Dana W. Kolpin, Edward T. Furlong, Susan Glassmeyer, Brett R. Blackwell, Steven Corsi, Michael T. Meyer, Paul M. Bradley
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Water Resources Impact
Index ID 70201175
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Colorado Water Science Center