Background - Toxics
Toxic pollution is a serious concern due to the health problems that some chemicals may cause. Some of the toxins found in these hazardous materials may be carcinogenic (cancer causing), mutagenic (mutant causing), or teratogenic (causing malformations of a fetus). Another impact associated with toxic or hazardous substances includes their accumulation in the bottom sediment of lakes or rivers. This can have an effect on bottom feeding organisms that eat the substances. The build up of a toxic substance in animal tissue is known as bioaccumulation. As organisms higher in the food chain consume the contaminated prey, the toxic substance becomes magnified. Magnification results from predators eating lots and lots of the contaminated organisms and the toxin accumulating in the predator in much larger amounts. This does not just affect fish. It affects wildlife that eat fish such as waterfowl, birds of prey, and bears. This is also the cause for human fish consumption advisories around the state. Toxic pollution includes materials such as petroleum products, mercury, pesticides, fertilizers, and household chemicals.
Mercury pollution is a major environmental and health concern in Maine. Mercury is a heavy metal that naturally exists in small amounts in rocks, soil and the ocean. It has also been used by humans in many household and industrial products. Although its use has drastically decreased over the years, it can still be found in products such as fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, thermometers, automotive and appliance switches, and in medical products and equipment.
Mercury is released into the air when soil erodes, volcanoes erupt, or petroleum products, coal, and garbage containing mercury is burned. Airborne mercury is a serious problem because it can transported and distributed throughout the atmosphere with the help of wind currents. It returns to the earth carried by rain or snow where it causes contamination in our waterbodies and soil. When mercury enters the water, it gradually builds up up in the tissue of fish. Eating mercury contaminated fish can lead to serious health problems, therefore, Maine has issued fish consumption advisories (off-site) for ALL Maine waters.
Pesticides and herbicides can also be the source of toxic or hazardous chemicals. There are some waters in the state that have ADDITIONAL fish consumption advisories (off-site) due to historical use of the PCB's and the pesticide DDT. Make sure to read all the warning labels and directions before using pesticides and herbicides. To dispose of these chemicals properly, watch for Hazardous Hazardous Waste Collection Days in your area or contact the Maine Board of Pesticide Control.
Petroleum pollution can sometimes be linked back to a specific source or event, such as a oil or gas truck that has been in a serious accident and has spilled its load. For example, in 1989, the Exxon Valdez spilled approximately 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean. However, this same amount of oil and gas runs off America's streets, parking lots, and driveways into the water every eight months. The fact of the matter is that discrete sources of pollution can be have just as great of an impact as a direct source. Discrete sources of petroleum pollution include automobiles, leaky home heating oil tanks, fueling stations at marinas and filling for your boat's tank from a gas canister. The small spills on land will be washed into our lakes, rivers and streams at the next storm and boating related sources enter the water immediately. Some chemicals found in petroleum products are toxic and can be harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and fish.
Household chemicals, like paint thinner, moth balls, and drain or oven cleaners, etc., can also be the source of toxic or hazardous materials entering our water. Be sure read the direction and warning label before using such items. Also find out how to properly dispose of these chemicals. Watch for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in your area.
Other nonpoint sources of toxic pollutants include seepage from landfills, junkyards, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste disposal sites and mining operations.
For more information about toxics:
Safe H2Ome Program
See "In Our Back Yard" articles such as:
- "The dirt on household cleaners"
- "What do I do with old paint thinner? (and other nasty stuff)"
- "Hazards in the 'hood"
- "Spring Cleaning - Be careful how you throw stuff away"
- "Green Cleaning"
- "The Real Truth About Storm Drains"
- "More about mercury"
- "What's all the fuss about mercury products?"
- "Anitfreeze poses perils for pets and wildlife"
- "Just when you thought it was safe to go fishing"
- "Fish consumption alerts raise pollution concerns"
How can I safely dispose of Hazardous Materials?
Towns Organizing Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days
Go to: Bacteria, Nutrients, Soil, Thermal
