Water and Health—Are We Concerned Enough?

Historically there has been found to be a very meaningful relationship between water and health. There has been insufficient research to provide knowledge about the relationship between viruses and chemicals and disease. An ever-growing number of Americans are exposed without their knowledge and consent to an ever-growing number of contaminants which are potentially or probably harmful to human health. The time has come to fully take the measure of this possible hazard to health and life by (1) initiating a national surveillance and research effort, and (2) establishing as a matter of public policy the principle that (a) every American has a right to a safe and wholesome supply of water and (b) no one has the right to introduce into the nation's waters substances in concentrations that may be harmful to humans until it has by specified reliable research procedures first been shown that the substance is not harmful in the concentrations expected to be found in the receiving water.