The Nation : Toxic Wastes Enter Sewers

Industries are pumping millions of pounds of toxic wastes into the nation’s sewer systems, probably causing significant emission of air pollutants and ground-water contamination, a new federal study said. The Environmental Protection Agency study said that due to an exemption in the federal Clean Water Act, 92 million kilograms of toxic metals and organic chemicals are being dumped into public sewage treatment plants each year. Ten kilograms equals roughly 22 pounds. The study expressed concern about the frequent presence of such dangerous chemicals as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and methanol in waste water.