Earth/Environment
Anticorrosion chemicals, ancient Arkansas rock, stowaway species and more in this week’s news
By Science News
Corrosion inhibitors taint water
British researchers have found corrosion-inhibiting chemicals used in dishwashing detergents, auto antifreeze and other products throughout the environment — even in water coming out of kitchen taps. Dishwashing appears responsible for at least 30 percent of the benzotriazoles in water, the researchers report online April 4 in
Environmental Science & Technology
. Although the corrosion inhibitors are not acutely toxic, the authors note that few studies of chronic exposure exist — none involving fish. The scientists conclude that exposures should be minimized until the chemicals’ long-term safety can be confirmed. —