Arsenic Rules for Water

Re “Bush Team OKs Clinton Arsenic Rules,” Nov. 1: I was overjoyed on Thursday when, while drinking my filtered-water-brewed coffee, I read the article outlining EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman’s decision to raise drinking water standards for arsenic levels. As a practicing environmentalist I view this as a huge victory. In this era of national terror the environment not only takes a back seat, but it is shoved in the back of the American public’s flag-clad sport-utility vehicles.

Working in this field, it is necessary to have a thick skin, but lately a complete suit of armor would not protect from the negative vibe exuding from the public to those of us out there saving a tree, stopping a major corporation from polluting a local river or raising drinking water standards. Just because we are at war does not mean the environment is in any less urgent a situation. Quite the contrary. I’m able to sleep a little more soundly knowing that people are fulfilling their duties to the Earth. Thank you, Christine Todd Whitman.

Ann Cavanaugh

Costa Mesa