Landfill chemicals seep into DuPage River

A serious landfill leak has been discovered by the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Chicago Daily Herald has reported that leachate, a mixture of rainwater and liquid produced by decaying rubbish, has leaked from the old landfill site at the Mallard Lake Forest Preserve.

"[It] was coming from what's known as Mallard North, a landfill at the preserve located near Hanover Park, and it contained toxins including high levels of ammonia plus benzene, a chemical used in gas and plastics, and Freon, used in refrigeration," the publication noted.

EPA co-ordinator Steve Faryan said ammonia can be toxic to both plant life and fish, adding that the forest preserve has been asked to take immediate action and start pumping the pollutants out.

In other US news, president Barack Obama recent pledged federal help to improve Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in country.

The bay is home to a vast array of marine like, such as oysters and blue crabs.