University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, October 30, 1991
5
JustinKnupp/KANSAN
Flower fundamentals
Performing botanical research, Jianwei Li, Peoples Republic of China graduate student, counts the number of chromosomes in a flower sample. Li was examining the sample to determine various characteristics of the flower yesterday afternoon at the Bridwell Botany Research Laboratory on West Campus.
Toxins released at alarming rate, group says
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — An environmental group said industrial toxic chemicals were being released into public sewers at an alarming rate, but industry representatives said the critics exaggerated the health danger.
The environmental group, the United States Public Interest Research Group, cited statistics provided to the Environmental Protection Agency as the basis for the claim it made on Monday that more than 550 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into sewer systems in 1989.
"Most sewage treatment plants are not designed to treat toxics, so they are really just being released to the environment," said Rob Stuart, one of the authors of the USIPRG report.
But the conclusion immediately was challenged by representatives from the EPA and the chemical industry, who said that such chemicals must undergo pre-treatment before being discharged into sewage systems.
Jeffrey Van, a representative for the Chemical Manufacturers Association, accused the environmental group of distorting and misusing the
EPA numbers, which are submitted annually by the industry.
"One of the things they don't talk about is concentration or exposure," said Van. "The volumes we're talking about are incredibly diluted waste streams. In our industry, 98 to 99 percent of the volume (of wastes into sewer systems) is water."
EPA representative Sean McElhney did not dispute the 1989 figures but said that such discharges were legal as long as the toxic chemicals were treated by the industrial user before being discharged.
Last Chance!
40%
off
every in-stock item!*
We're leaving Lawrence in just a few days, Oct. 31, so now is your last chance to save on all your storage and organization needs.
Futons
Bookcases
Desks
Elfq® drawer systems
Bins
Crates
Hooks
Laundry bags
Shelving
Closet organizers
Hangers
Shoe/sweater boxes
...And More!
The list is endless and the savings are abundant! If you haven't been in before--you better hurry. Oct. 31 is our last day in Lawrence before we move it all back to our Kansas City store!
1040 Vermont Lawrence, KS 749-1444
Open Late! Mon.-Sat. 10a.m.-9p.m. Sun. 12-6p.m.
*Excludes previous purchases
*Excludes Custom Closets
Sale is only for stock in our Lawrence store!