New USGS Study Assesses Pesticide Degradates in Groundwater

摘要

A new U.S. Geological Survey study shows some pesticides and the chemical compounds they degrade to are common in groundwater used for public drinking water supply, but mostly at concentrations well below levels of concern for human health. At least one pesticide or degradate was detected in slightly more than 40% of samples of untreated groundwater collected from 1204 wells that tap major drinking water aquifers. These aquifers produce approximately 70% of the groundwater used for drinking in the United States.