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Unsafe Levels of PFASs In Drinking Water Pose Health Risks, Study Says
Higher-than-recommended concentrations of industrial chemicals known as PFASs have been found in American drinking water, according to a 2016 study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been linked to cancer, obesity, hormone suppression and high cholesterol. The highest levels of PFASs were found near industrial sites, military bases and wastewater treatment plants. The [...]
Quakes Rock Puerto Rico for Second Day in a Row
Early-Morning Earthquake Awakens Residents A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook Puerto Rico at 4:24 a.m. Tuesday, damaging buildings and causing a widespread power blackout. The earthquake was centered in the southwest part of the island, about 8 miles from Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second largest city. The quake was followed by a 6.0-magnitude aftershock about three hours later, along with a [...]
Understanding the Tropical Cyclone Cone of Uncertainty
Make sure you understand what the "cone of uncertainty" can—and can't—tell you about tropical weather threats. Image: NWS National Hurricane Center What Is the Cone of Uncertainty? The cone of uncertainty is a graphic depicting the path that a tropical cyclone (such as a tropical storm or hurricane) is forecast [...]
Fluoride: It’s In The News Again
Study Raises Questions About Fluoridation A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that higher levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with lower levels of IQ in some children. While more research is needed on the topic, the study did note that “these findings indicate the possible need to reduce fluoride intake during pregnancy.” Know [...]
NOAA Now Predicting Above-Normal Hurricane Season
The end of this year's El Nino could set the stage for an increased hurricane threat in the Atlantic Ocean. After a relatively quiet start to the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA has announced that the end of El Nino has helped increase the chances of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 45%. This is [...]
What is the difference between a tropical depression, a tropical storm, and a hurricane?
Every year people are caught off-guard and unprepared during hurricane season. Know your weather terminology, and take steps to prepare today. Avoid storm-panicked crowds at the grocery store, gridlocked evacuation routes, and last-minute preparation by being informed. Knowing even basic weather terminology will help you know how to respond to weather activity [...]
Near-Record ‘Dead Zone’ Forecast for Gulf of Mexico
Dead zone's large size blamed on this year’s rainy spring A large hypoxic zone (also known as a dead zone) the size of the land mass of Massachusetts is expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico this summer, according to a recent NOAA report. A hypoxic zone, also known as a dead zone, is an area containing [...]
Study: Humans Consume a Credit Card-Size Amount of Plastic Weekly
A new study commissioned by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) and led by researchers at the University of Newcastle, Australia found that humans are eating about 5 grams of microplastics each week, or about the weight of a credit card. That adds up to more than 250 grams annually. For comparison, a small paper clip weighs about [...]
Algal Blooms: Overgrowths of algae or cyanobacteria in water
The following will help you understand the dangers of algal blooms, and the importance of having Black Berkey® Purification Elements to remove or reduce harmful algal toxins from your drinking water. What are algal blooms? Icky, smelly and potentially harmful to your health, algal blooms (or algae blooms) are overgrowths of algae or [...]
Salem, Oregon Spending $75 Million to Protect Drinking Water from Toxic Algal Blooms
The city is upgrading its water treatment infrastructure to help prevent another algal bloom-related cyanotoxin event like the one that forced the city to issue “do not drink” advisories in May and June of 2018. The $75 million project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 and includes a state-of-the-art $40 million ozone treatment system. Ingestion of [...]
