poisoned waters

Leave it to Frontline to celebrate earth day but bringing to light the polluted waters of America, this year is the 30th anniversary of the 'clean water act' and it looks like our water is more polluted than ever. Frontline examines the newest health hazards in our nation's contaminated waterways, in FRONTLINE’s Poisoned Waters, airing Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from 9 to 11 P.M. ET on PBS (check local listings), Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hedrick Smith examines the growing hazards to human health and the ecosystem. Why frogs have six legs, females with male parts and males with female parts, and in this special 2 hour Frontline we will hopefully see suggestions on why this is happening.

In our house, my husband and I love Frontline and rarely miss a show but if you are new to it be prepared for some very serious and upfront issues and some very straight talk. In Poisoned Waters Hedrick Smith looks are who, what, where and why, and we learn that “The ’70s were a lot about, ‘We’re the good guys; we’re the environmentalists; we’re going to go after the polluters,’ and it’s not really about that anymore,” Jay Manning, director of ecology for Washington state, tells FRONTLINE. “It’s about the way we all live. And unfortunately, we are all polluters. I am; you are; all of us are.”

Through interviews with scientists, environmental activists, corporate executives and average citizens impacted by the burgeoning pollution problem, Smith reveals startling new evidence that today’s growing environmental threat comes not from the giant industrial polluters of old, but from chemicals in consumers’ face creams, deodorants, prescription medicines and household cleaners that find their way into sewers, storm drains, and eventually into America’s waterways and drinking water.

Click here for more information and if you miss the episode that is running Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from 9 to 11 P.M. ET on PBS (check local listings) then you can see it online as well... just don't miss it!