Report Assesses Risks of Perchlorate in Drinking Water

By Jon Hamilton

Published January 10, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST

Perchlorate, a chemical used in fuel for rockets and missiles that, in high doses, can decrease thyroid function in humans, has turned up in drinking water in more than 35 states. A new report from the National Research Council -- a group that advises the government on science -- says it is safe to ingest perchlorate at doses 20 times greater than the "reference dose" currently proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Hear NPR's Jon Hamilton.

Jon Hamilton

Jon Hamilton is a correspondent for NPR's Science Desk. Currently he focuses on neuroscience and health risks.

See stories by Jon Hamilton

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