For the first time, the U.S. government has proposed limiting toxic “forever chemicals” in domestic drinking water.
Compounds in this class of chemicals, scientifically known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have strong carbon-fluorine bonds. This means that they are not readily degraded under ambient environmental conditions, and it is suspected that they can continue to exist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years. It is associated with various health problems such as cancer, immunodeficiency and pregnancy complications.
Thousands of PFAS are used in hundreds of products, from cookware to clothing, firefighting foam to pesticides. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found these chemicals in the blood of nearly everyone the agency tested. of Americans were found to contain at least two PFAS compounds in their drinking water.
A new regulatory proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency limits permissible drinking-water levels of six PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), individually, while the other four are restricted to mixtures. limit as If finalized, the rule will require public drinking water utilities to monitor these chemicals, notify the public when certain thresholds are exceeded, and reduce levels.For PFOA and PFOS , this limit will be 4 ppt. EPA previously advised that levels of these chemicals should not exceed 70 ppt.
“EPA’s proposal to establish a national standard for PFAS in drinking water is informed by the best available science and will provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that best protect their communities. ,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a news release. from an agency.
The industry group, the American Chemistry Council, announced its support for drinking water standards in its own news release. However, the group challenged the science EPA used to set the proposed limit and warned of the high cost of compliance.
The proposed regulation, which will go through a 60-day public comment period, is part of the administration’s larger plan. PFAS Strategy Roadmap Inhibits PFAS contamination.
“These six PFASs stand out as some of the best-studied PFASs, but the entire class of chemicals is a health concern,” says EWG senior scientist David Andrews said in a news release from the organization. “Actions to reduce exposure are not immediately achievable.”
