Report: Harmful household chemicals dumped into San Francisco Bay

Associated Press , Staff
Published July 11, 2007

OAKLAND, Calif.—Sewage water dumped into San Francisco Bay contains potentially dangerous chemicals found in household products such as deodorant and plastic bottles, according to a study released Wednesday. Researchers detected the synthetic chemicals in two dozen water samples from sewage pipes connected to homes, businesses and manufacturing plants, according to the report released by Environmental Working Group's office in Oakland. The nonprofit group conducted the study with the East Bay Municipal Utility District, one of dozens of agencies that discharge treated sewage, storm water or other wastewater into the bay. Inspectors found three types of chemicals—phthalates, bisphenol A and triclosan—suspected of interfering with hormone systems of humans and wildlife. Researchers believe chemical ingredients are leaching out of household products such as toothpaste, soap and plastics, passing through the municipal sewage plants virtually untreated. Modern sewage systems are designed treat biodegradable food, human waste and metals, but not to capture the thousands of tons of synthetic chemicals used to manufacture consumer products, EBMUD officials said.