Poll: Drinking water pollution top concern
United Press International
03/25/2009
PRINCETON, N.J., March 25 (UPI) -- Drinking-water pollution is the top environmental concern among Americans, with 59 percent saying they worry a great deal about it, a Gallup survey indicated.
Forty-two percent of those asked said they worried a great deal about the loss of tropical rain forests, while a few expressed worry about animal species extinction and global warming, results released Wednesday indicated.
Eight environmental issues in the 2009 Gallup Environment survey appear to be important to Americans, with results indicating a majority of respondents say they worry at least a fair amount about each one, pollsters said.
Water-related issues on the poll occupied the top four spots in the 2009 survey, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. Besides being concerned about pollution of drinking water, 52 percent of those asked expressed a "great deal" of worry about pollution of rivers, lakes and reservoirs and 52 percent expressed the same level of concern about water and soil contamination from toxic waste. About half -- 49 percent -- said they worry about maintaining the nation's supply of fresh water for household needs.
Air pollution placed fifth among the environmental problems rated this year, with 45 percent of respondents saying they worry a great deal about it...
