Corby metal pollution may harm people, says study

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA study of rivers and soil around Corby found metal pollution that its backers say may harm people, the BBC reports.

2. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI swear by one rule, Hank. If a river looks clear, it's clean. I've never once been wrong about it, because I've never once checked.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWell, here's what the volunteers did instead. Thirty citizen scientists tested fifty-two freshwater sites and twenty-eight soil samples.

4. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorTwenty-eight soil samples. Somebody's weekend, gone.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey found elevated nickel and cadmium in the water, and cadmium and arsenic in the soil, mostly near Deene Quarry and a slag heap in Weldon.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd I bet it all looked lovely. That's how a society ends, Hank.

7. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSomebody trusts a pretty stream, then the whole town is relying on my judgment, and I wouldn't.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThere are limits.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe study's author said the report did not assess risks to human health, and the Environment Agency says it has found no evidence of significant harm.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the ruling is it's complicated. Clear water proves nothing, and the testing so far hasn't settled the health question.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTalk to your doctor if you're worried.

12. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo they're asking the council to sort it out. Let's see if anybody actually checks anything else around here.

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