POLLUTION IN OUR RIVERS

Dioxins
are chemical byproducts of some manufacturing processes such as paper
bleaching and herbicide production. They are persistent pollutants which means
they don't break down and they stay in the environment. Dioxins are extremely
toxic to both humans and wildlife. Some notable possible symptoms of dioxin
poisoning are: increased risk of cancer and heart attacks, suppressed
immune system, hormonal imbalance, weight loss, and chloracne.

Furans
are intermediate chemicals created during the production of other substances
such as tetrahydrofuran, pyrrole, and thiophene. Furans, like dioxins, are
persistent pollutants. They are also mutagens and carcinogens, meaning they
alter the genetic makeup of organisms and are known to cause cancer. Furans
are toxic to humans and animals as well.

PCBs
(or polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of manmade chemicals that were
used in electrical equipment, as hydraulic fluids, plasticizers, and lubricants.
Their production was banned in 1979 by the US EPA but due to their persistent
nature, they are still in the air, water, and soil. They have been known to cause
chloracne, cancer, and changes in liver function, immune system function,
endocrine system function, and reproductive system function.

These substances are in our rivers — mainly the Lower

Duwamish Waterway, the section of the Duwamish River
that flows through Seattle.

— what can you do? —

Share this poster with friends and family
Follow river pollution cleanup efforts
at http://duwamishcleanup.org
and https://www.earthcorps.org

Sources:
idph.state.il.us
pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
slate.com
oceanservice.noaa.gov
epa.gov

Designed by: Lewis Back