Photo: Pollution Prevalent in U.S. West's National Parks

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February 27, 2008—Government scientists collected samples from eight primary parks and twelve secondary parks—listed in the map above—as part of a six year study that found pesticides, heavy metals, and other airborne contaminants are raining down on national parks across the U.S. West and Alaska.

The findings revealed that some of Earth's most pristine wilderness is still within reach of the toxic byproducts of the industrial age.

Map courtesy WACAP, 2008

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