Indeed, chemicals that are designed to kill unwanted critters are poisonous and are not good to human beings as well. But we all find ways to kill these insects that make us sick and are problematic to our lifestyle and well-being.
If these recorded and controlled poisons are being scrutinized under the watchful eyes of DEQ, I often wonder whether we know exactly what bad things or toxic materials we dispose through our wastewater disposal system.
Our hospital and medical clinics dispense medications to patients, and as you know what are digested by these patients somehow are flushed into the sewer system and then treated with chlorine by CUC, then ended up being dumped into the open ocean.
What about the chemicals we put on our bodies — perfume, deodorants, body lotion, skin protection and others. These materials are washed when we take a shower or bath, and again flushed out after being treated by CUC and dumped out into the open ocean.
What about all the cleaning detergents laced with phosphates that we imported from China, Korea, the Philippines and other places that do not conform to U.S. EPA standards?
Do we really know exactly how much poison or toxic materials are dumped into the open ocean outside our reef?
We do not even know the amount of heavy metals that are washed out as runoff from the mountain. And the list goes on and on, but it is life as usual.
The point is, we do not know what exactly is the aggregate toxicological damage we are doing to the environment, in particular the point of discharge of waste at reef areas used for this purpose. If we do not control all the toxic materials, it is really no sense at all about what toxic materials are recorded and dispensed on land. No toxic material is good; it will affect you one way or the other. The toxic materials present on the islands come in variety of kinds and forms. The question is, does anyone know?
FRANCISCO R. AGULTO
Chalan Kanoa, Saipan
