California’s drought has devastated the state on multiple levels, and Mother Jones has revealed yet another that may even affect produce – such as citrus, almonds, apples, peaches, grapes, and blueberries – sold in grocery chains nationwide. Southern California farms have been increasing their recycling of wastewater generated as a byproduct of oil refining. Oil companies including Chevron provide water used to irrigate thousands of acres of farmland, which may leave traces of chemicals in the crops.
“The State Water Resources Control Board requires periodic testing of oilfield water that is used for irrigation but has not set limits for many contaminants. Recent tests of irrigation water supplied by Chevron … turned up benzene, a carcinogen, at higher concentrations than what is allowed in California drinking water.”
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