Arizonians’ Thyroid Problems May Be Linked To Perchlorate In Drinking Water

Perchlorate contamination of drinking water may be the source of thyroid problems among Arizona residents. Arizona has more perchlorate contamination than most other states, according to KAWC. The Colorado River is contaminated with the chemical because it moves from an industrial facility in Henderson, NV, to groundwater to Lake Mead, which feeds the river.

“Northern Arizona University researchers have received a 200-thousand-dollar grant from the Flinn Foundation to study the contaminant’s effects on the Yuma population,” KAWC reported. Yuma County is in southwestern Arizona. “The two-year study begins this week. Researchers will monitor 300 individuals, half of whom suffer from hypothyroidism. They will also be capturing and testing rats to compare their perchlorate levels,” the report said.

Northern Arizona University Professor of Ecotoxicology Frank von Hippel noted the difficulty of breaking down perchlorate. “So once it gets into groundwater or drinking water supplies, it can last potentially for thousands of years. And it causes health disruption because it prevents iodide uptake at the thyroid gland,” he said, per KAWC. In its perchlorate fact sheet, the U.S. EPA notes that the contaminant is highly soluble in water and migrates quickly from soil to groundwater. Various states have health-based goals or […]

Full article: Arizonians’ Thyroid Problems May Be Linked To Perchlorate In Drinking Water

More about Arizona water issues:

The Water Wars of Arizona

‘If there’s no water, what’s the point?’ Female farmers in Arizona

What you don’t know about the water law that saved Arizona

Who controls the water? Arizona agencies slug it out

The water war that will decide the fate of 1 in 8 Americans

How a purple school bus brings clean drinking water to Navajo Nation