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By Meagan Ellsworth Editor-in-Chief
The public could be drinking unhealthy water, possibly linked to cancer and developmental toxicity among other health risks. While Huntsville’s foul odor was reported as an algal boom in August 2009, as many as 14 contaminants and pollutants were found in the city’s supply from 1998-2003, for a population of 35,078 people. The EWG’s investigation revealed, “By failing to set tap water safety standards expeditiously or require and fund comprehensive testing, EPA allows widespread exposures to chemical mixtures posing unknown risks to human health.” The investigation continued on to reveal “of the 141 unregulated contaminants utilities detected in water supplies between 1998 and 2003, 52 are linked to cancer, 41 to reproductive toxicity, 36 to developmental toxicity, and 16 to immune system damage, according to chemical listings in seven standard government and industry toxicity references.
Despite the potential health risks, any concentration of these chemicals in tap water is legal, no matter how high. Texas was among the top 10 states with the most drinkingwater contamination according to the EWG’s studies. Maria Gerling of Huntsville wrote a column to the Huntsville Item on April 7, 2010 to share her concern with the use of chloramine to treat Huntsville’s tap water. “Its vapors are toxic to people who inhale them while bathing or showering,” Gerling said. The solution would be to discontinue adding Chloramine to the water. Many of us would be willing to pay a little extra in order to have a better water supply.” The Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies Analytical Laboratory Operations Manager at SHSU, Rachelle Smith said chloramine can be toxic to inhale or use for water treatment. “It could because you could be getting chlorine gas,” Smith, said. Robert Stevens, Assistant Southern Region Manager said there is not an alternative
treatment and that chloramine is the alternative to chlorine treatment. “No, we can’t go back to the straight chlorine because it will convert the precursor organics into Trihalomethanes,” Stevens said. I don’t think there is any scientific proof that chloramines create any problems in inhaling it. “Yes, there could be an environmental and hazardous problem with the chloramines,” Smith said. ““My personal opinion would be to look at another alternative. However, if one of the alternatives is to use something more dangerous than what they are using right now then that’s not really a good alternative.” Stevens said the grand total expense was about $4.5 million last year for the treatment of Tap Water in Huntsville with about $3.1 million in operation and maintenance expenses to treat the water and deliver it to the city.
Did you know pharmaceutical products are changing the sex of fish?
Huntsville’s water supply flows from seven wells owned and operated by the city and from the Huntsville Regional Water Supply System, owned and operated by the Trinity River Authority of Texas. According to the Environmental Working Group’s past evaluation of Huntsville “health effects or target organs of the contaminants found included Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicity, Cancer, Developmental Toxicity, Endocrine Toxicity, Kidney Toxicity, Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Reproductive Toxicity, and Respiratory Toxicity”. The 2009 Water Quality Report for the City of Huntsville, available on the city council’s website, includes a “special notice for the ELDERLY, INFANTS, CANCER PATIENTS, those with HIV/AIDS or other immune problems. The notice explains how this specific population is more susceptible to infections from drinking water contaminants such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia; microscopic parasites affecting the digestive tracks of humans and animals.
— See WATER, page 3
Man of the hour Campus and community turns out for the chance to say a personal farewell to retiring university President of nine years James F. Gaertner By Mike Silva Sports Reporter A farewell event in honor of President James F. Gaertner was held on Wednesday in the Bearkat Plaza, where students, faculty, and alumni came together to show their appreciation before his retirement to come in August. Foods, refreshments, and the sounds of the live music of the music department’s Steel Drum Band created the celebratory environment for Gaertner’s time and contributions to SHSU. “We wanted to have create a casual, fun, festive, celebratory atmosphere between faculty, staff, and students for President Gaertner’s farewell, and that’s what came about,” Maggie Collum, director of University Events, said. “We also thought it was important for a student to be the emcee because students are what out university is all about.” — See GAERTNER, page 3
Joe Buvid | The Houstonian
FOND FAREWELL. SHSU President James. F. Gaertner and his wife Nancy were honored by the university on Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. in the Bearkat Plaza. Gaertner announced his retirement in the Fall of 2009 and is expected to say goodbye this upcoming August. He has served as SHSU’s president for about 9 years.
TreeHouseRock Huntsville’s Bone House builder, Dan Phillips to school students on sustainable skills in his course during the fall semester. By Alyssa Dupree Contributing Writer With the “Green Movement” sweeping the globe, Huntsville residents may not realize that they have a pioneer living and building in their own backyard. However, Dan Phillips has been building houses using recycled material since 1998, when he established Phoenix Commotion with his wife Marsha. “Dan has been interested in sustainable building all of his life,” said Kristie Stevens, the Administrative Director of Phoenix Commotion. “He believes that building is in everyone's DNA.” Phillips hopes to help find the builder in us all with a new course that will be offered at SHSU in the fall, which will
revolve around teaching students how to live more sustainably. “The related activities require you to think in a way that you might not otherwise. If you don't normally cook, it might be a shock that it's substantially cheaper to make your food from scratch, not to mention the health benefits,” Stevens said. Students interested in enrolling in the class should be aware that, although the class has a four paper requirement, Phillips still expects students to be mindful of what they use. The first three papers are not allowed to be longer than two pages, including a bibliography.
— See GREEN, page 3
Kristie Stevens | Phoenix Commotion
MODERN DAY PIONEERS. The houses built by Phoenix Commotion are 80% reclaimed and recycled materials, including – but not limited to – Red Cedar, Long Leaf Pine, wine corks, bottle caps and mosaic tiles. Dan Phillips has been using recycled material since 1998.
The History of Earth Day By Malissa Peek Contributing Writer Environmental issues are a growing concern for the United States and the world. Constantly bombarded with “Go Green” campaigns, products and even produce, many are unaware that environmental struggles have been in the limelight as early as the 1970’s. According to About.com, newspaper publisher and community activist John McConnell suggested at a UNESCO Conference in 1969 that a national day be set to remind people of their environmental responsibilities. He chose March 21 because it is the vernal equinox. The vernal equinox is the first day of autumn in the southern hemisphere and the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. It is also the only day when days and nights are the same length everywhere on earth. On February 26, 1971, U.N. Secretary General U Thant signed a proclamation stating that international Earth Day would be celebrated annually on the vernal equinox. Just a month later the April 22 Earth Day many Americans have come to know evolved through the efforts of environmental activist and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. He felt there was an unrecognized public support for environmental issues, so he used this day to promote environmental activism and education. Nelson’s 1970 efforts paved the way for many environmental laws we still abide by today, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency was created just three years later. No matter how many “Go Green” campaigns there are or how much each individual recycles, the message of Earth Day will continue to spark major debate. The underlying fact remains these issues are not a new phenomenon. “I think if everyone thought about their personal responsibility in helping our world we would be in a much better, healthier place as an economy,” said self-proclaimed-semitree-hugger Kristin Casso. The slogan attributed to Earth Day is “think globally, act locally.” For more information on ways you can become involved locally stop by a GreenKats meeting the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 12:30 in room 327 of the LSC.