"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging pregnant women who live in the areas of West Virginia where a toxic chemical leaked into the water supply last week to drink bottled water, even in places where the no-use ban has been lifted. The move comes 'out of an abundance of caution,' the CDC and the state's Bureau of Public Health say."
"The federal agency said Wednesday that pregnant women should stick to bottled water "until there are no longer detectable levels of MCHM in the water distribution system," referring to the coal-treatment chemical that sparked a ban on use of tap water for some 300,000 people in nine counties around Charleston, W.Va.
The water ban has been lifted for parts of that area in recent days (a West Virginia American Water map can show you the latest data). But as some residents tell NPR's Hansi Lo Wang, they're still not trusting it, even if their water has been declared safe."
Bill Chappell reports for NPR January 15, 2014.
SEE ALSO:
"Company In West Virginia Spill Cited For Violations At Second Site" (AP)
"Residents Visit ERs With Water-Related Complaints" (Charleston Gazette)
"W.Va. Spill Shows Vulnerability of Water Supply" (AP)
"As Chemical Moves Down Ohio River,West Virginia Spill Highlights Missing, Insufficient Data" (WFPL)
"Industry Has Been Poisoning W.Va. Water for Decades, Natives Say" (Indian Country Today Media Network)
"Neighbors Complain Of MCHM Presence Near Trucking Company" (Charleston Daily Mail)
"West Virginia Residents Sickened After Exposure To 'Safe' Water" (Aljazeera America)
