Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Down To Earth

Columbia River contaminants

Last month the EPA published a disturbing report about pervasive contaminants throughout the vast Columbia River Basin. To wit: “The Columbia River Basin is contaminated with many toxic contaminants that are moving up the food chain, threatening the health of the Basin’s people, fish, and wildlife. The State of the River Report for Toxics is a summary of what we know about four widespread contaminants in the Basin: mercury, DDT and its breakdown products, PCBs, and PBDE flame retardants.”












Unfortunately, one of the examples of an increase was the Spokane River, where PBDEs had a four-fold growth in concentration in some fish from 1996 to 2005. You’ve been warned. View full report HERE.



Down To Earth

The DTE blog is committed to reporting and sharing environmental news and sustainability information from across the Inland Northwest.