What's In Our Water? Flame Retardants, Anti-Microbial Nanosilvers And Synthetic Estrogen
A (pristine?) lake in Manitoba, Canada.
Larry Powell PinP photo.
OTTAWA & WINNIPEG – What’s in our lake water? As we learned this year, increasingly
the answer includes flame retardants and anti-microbial nanosilvers from our
clothes and baby products, synthetic estrogen and other hormones from flushed
pharmaceuticals, and mercury from coal plants.
We
know more about this chemical soup because the scientists at Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) this week wrapped up their first season of research under new
management. This natural laboratory comprised of 58 small lakes and their
watershed near Kenora, Ontario has provided unique environmental research and
results for more than 40 years, but this year’s season almost didn’t happen.
The
scientists at the Experimental Lakes Area kept their research equipment in the
lakes and labs and out of mothballs this year after its federal funding was
eliminated in 2012. Thanks to a five-year agreement brokered by the
International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD),and the province of
Ontario, the 2014 research season took place with important new findings.
“Research
on our fresh water matters. The research conducted by IISD-ELA scientists is
critical to understanding the impact that our clothes, medicines, household
products and manufacturing practices have on our lakes and rivers and
ecosystems,” said Scott Vaughan, President and CEO of IISD. “IISD-ELA is
committed to supporting our scientists as they speak out about the results of
our world-class research, in order to drive better policies for the environment”.
“This
year, the world learned from research at IISD-ELA that contamination from spent
pharmaceuticals flushed into our waterways contains endocrine disputers,
causing extremely harmful effects on fresh water lakes’ wildlife,” said Matt
McCandless, Executive Director of IISD-ELA. “When IISD-ELA conducted
experiments with synthetic estrogen, we were shocked at the rapid rate in which
fatheaded minnows were dying, in addition to male fish developing eggs. It was
alarming, and could have significant effects on our lakes and aquatic life.”
In
2014, researchers launched a new experiment, adding nanosilver, tiny particles
that have anti-microbial properties, to an IISD-ELA lake. Nanosilver is being
added to an increasing number of consumer products, ranging from clothing like
work-out gear to reduce odours, and baby products. The study will provide
information on how nanosilvers behave when they enter our waterways.
The
importance of the research at the facility has long been recognized beyond
Canada. In October 2014, IISD signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Chao Lake Management Administration (CLMA) to improve the health of China’s
Chao Lake – one of the country’s five largest freshwater lakes. From the
impacts on our lakes of acid rain and mercury from coal factories, to phosphates
in detergents, IISD-ELA’s research has triggered policy makers to rewrite laws
to improve pollution levels.
“With
the continued operation of the ELA, its scientists, university researchers,
high school students and experts from across Canada and around the world have
access to an important and unique fresh water research facility right here in
Ontario,” said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. “The province of Ontario
is proud to work with the IISD and province of Manitoba to fund ELA operations
over the next five years. For the sake of our fresh water, we can’t afford not
to.”
Over
the winter months, IISD-ELA will continue indoor, laboratory research and
experiments throughout the winter at the research facility located in Kenora,
Ontario, and will reopen in the spring of 2015.
About IISD-ELA
IISD-Experimental
Lakes Area is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research
facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in
Northwestern Ontario, Canada, as well as a facility with accommodations and
laboratories for up to 60 personnel. By manipulating these small lakes,
scientists are able to examine how all aspects of the ecosystem—from the
atmosphere to fish populations—respond. In April 2014, along with funding
from the province of Manitoba, IISD, the Government of Ontario and the
Government of Canada signed three agreements to ensure the facility's long-term
operation. Follow the IISD-ELA on Twitter @IISD_ELA. Donate at http://www.iisd.org/ela/donate/.
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For
more information or to speak with an IISD-ELA expert, contact:
Sumeep
Bath, Media and Communications Officer
E:
sbath@iisd.org
T:
+1 (204) 958-7740
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