Perchlorate is an unregulated toxic pollutant found in many areas of the country's drinking water and food supplies. The Defense Department has heavily used the chemical since the 1950's for a variety of purposes. Most of the perchlorate is due to Defense Department dumping, but other sources of this chemical include companies producing fireworks and explosives.

The causal relationship between perchlorate and neurological injury is being debated, but some studies indicate that the chemical affects a person's thyroid when exposed to large amounts. The effected thyroid fails to properly take up iodide from a person's diet. The insufficient iodide can lead to serious neurodevelopment problems, especially in children.

Perchlorate releases have been identified in almost half of the states in the US. Although unregulated, the EPA has indicated that perchlorate levels should be around 5 parts per billion (ppb). However in some areas of the United States, perchlorate levels in groundwater are twice to three times this level. Recently, two towns along the Colorado River closed groundwater wells due to high perchlorate levels and some parts of the country have seen levels as high as 100 ppb. If you believe you have been injured as a result of perchlorate, contact a perchlorate attorney as soon as possible to determine your legal options.