National Parks are a great place to get away from it all: the fast-paced tempo of urban life, the constant phone calls, and the pollution, right? Actually, researchers have uncovered an alarming trend that's affecting the most pristine and remote areas in the western US -- rising levels of toxic contaminants. Substances from heavy metals to pesticides are turning up in unprecedented levels in lakes, fish and plants living in US parks.Where is it coming from? Scientists believe much of it is literally riding air currents from lands as distant as Europe and Asia. Clouds containing Mercury, for example, drift from China over the Pacific release it in the form of precipitation over mountain ranges in the west. Another major source is domestic -- the use of legal pesticides. Since the ban of DDT, scientist thought that pesticides were under much better control. Now they're finding that pesticides, no matter how short the lifespan, can travel great distances.
One of the great ironies of the situation is that it turns conventional wisdom on its head. More remote locations like mountain tops are actually becoming the most polluted -- especially in colder, snow covered areas. So, next time you're thinking about taking a drink from that cool mountain stream, you might want to think twice.
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