Chemicals in our environment

The analysis of chemical contaminants in the soil and the water on the old golf course adjacent to century Village reveals a long list of chemical compounds used in the past to control insects.
Arsenic is on top of the list with levels exceeding the EPA's ( Environmental Protection agency) standards. The levels suggested by the EPA as being a safe  level posing little threat to human or animal life are simply guidelines established to create a red line for reference. The fact is that the real safe levels are largely unknown. Though studies have shown that levels exceeding the standards do cause long term effects on animal and human health, There is not really any safe level of exposure.One remedy suggested by the EPA to deal with high levels of arsenic in soil is to dilute the concentration by mixing the contaminated soil with clean soil. It certainly lowers the concentration, but does nothing to actually remove the culprit. The mixing of a cocktail of  toxic chemicals in a myriad of different environments leads us vulnerable to toxic effects that we may never be aware exist.
Though assurances are given by the EPA that levels are very low and fall short of the levels that are known to cause health problems and damage to the environment. It may be prudent to think about the long term effects of the build up of toxic materials and what the consequences are for the future.
Here's a compilation of some of the worst  chemicals discovered in the soil and the water on the golf course. There is a good chance that these same chemicals can be found in Century Village. There is no barrier or any kind of control preventing toxic buildup in our soil and in our lake. Chemicals from the surrounding area are regularly added to our lake by the introduction of treated wastewater  which does contain the chemicals as the wastewater treatment facilities are not equipped to remove them. Contaminated water leaching from the grounds then entering the CV Lake to be used in irrigation contribute to the distribution of the pollutants.
Chlordane is one of the  "dirty dozen"  banned by the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. It is one of the most potent carcinogens.The National Cancer Institute reported that chlordane is associated with high rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma .
Heptachlor was used as an insecticide. In 1962, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring questioned it's safety  due to its highly stable structure, heptachlor can persist in the environment for decades. It is classified by the EPA as a possible human carcinogen.
Aldrin is an  insecticide that was banned in the 1970s. It is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States as defined in Section 302 of the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C.
Dieldrin was  developed in the 1940s to relace DDT, it is a persistent pollutant. Long-term exposure has proven toxic to a very wide range of animals including humans. For this reason it is now banned in most of the world.Health problems such as Parkinson's, breast cancer, and immune, reproductive, and nervous system damage have been linked to exposure.
Endrin  was primarily used as an insecticide, a rodenticide and piscicide.It is known as a persistent pollutant  and is now banned in many countries. It is not a known carcinogen but is known to be toxic in many other ways with detrimental effects.The use of Endrin was cancelled in the United States in 1991 due it's toxicity.
Endosulfan is an insecticide and acaricide(tick and mite killer) that is being phased out around the world due to it's acute  toxic effects on humans The Stockholm Convention in April 2011 negotiated a global ban on it's use .
Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) is an  insecticide that is slightly irritating to the skin. it is a close relative of DDT  but it is considered to be less toxic to animals than DDT
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)  known for its insecticidal properties and harmful environmental impacts.DDT is an endocrine disruptor. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies DDT as "probably carcinogenic to humans. Other findings claim  DDT is an endocrine disruptor, a predictor of breast cancer, and a marker of high risk"
Methoxychlor is used as a weapon against a variety of insects It was introduced as a replacement for DDT, but it is now  banned because of its acute toxicity, It has been linked to the development of Leukemia in humans. It is not classified as  carcinogen by the EPA though they do indicate other toxic effects from exposure and caution that high levels can  cause central nervous system damage,  depression, diarrhea, damage to liver, kidney, and heart, and  by chronic exposure  growth retardation
Toxaphene was an insecticide widely used in the cotton industry.  It is a mixture of over 670 different chemicals. High levels of toxaphene can cause damage to the lungs, nervous system, liver, kidneys, and  may  cause death. Toxaphene use was cancelled in the U.S. in 1990
Neil J.Moore