Environmental Matters in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

A U.S. EPA official said Tuesday there’s a “distinct possibility” the agency won’t take action to limit a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has contaminated drinking water supplies around the country.  Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the Environmental Protection Agency, told U.S. senators Tuesday that EPA believes the contaminant - perchlorate - poses developmental health risks. But he says that after years of study EPA hasn’t determined whether regulating perchlorate would meaningfully reduce that risk.  Some senators accused U.S. EPA of foot-dragging. The agency has faced pressure from the Pentagon, which could be liable for clean-up costs.

Production of ammonium perchlorate first began in the United States in the mid-1940s, primarily for use by the U.S. military. The most common uses for ammonium perchlorate are in explosives and rocket propellants, which have been widely used in military munitions items, such as mortars, grenades and flares and solid fuel rocket. Based on production data from two perchlorate manufacturers, it is estimated that 90 percent of perchlorate compounds are manufactured for use in defense activities and the aerospace industry. While occurring most frequently at domestic Air Force installations, ammonium perchlorate has been detected at Army and Navy sites too. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Energy (DOE) also have a small number of facilities with perchlorate (specific information on known perchlorate releases in the U.S. (XLS) (PDF, 7 pages, 515KB), as of September 23, 2004). In addition, ammonium perchlorate and the other perchlorate salts have been or are used in a wide range of applications, including pyrotechnics and fireworks, blasting agents, solid rocket fuel, matches, lubricating oils, nuclear reactors, air bags and certain types of fertilizers. Improper storage and/or disposal related to the uses mentioned above are the most typical route for perchlorate to enter into the environment.