The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced new drinking water standards to reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals, which have been found to be harmful to human health and the environment. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals used in various industries and consumer products since the 1940s. These chemicals, known as 'forever chemicals' due to their long-lasting molecular bonds, have been accumulating in water, food, and air.
The Environment al Protection Agency announced new drinking water standards Wednesday to limit exposure to a class of chemicals called PFAS.
Evidence for their harmful effects on human health have also accumulated."Long term exposure to certain types of PFAS have been linked to serious illnesses, including cancer, liver damage and high cholesterol," the EPA's Regan said. The EPA expects that excess PFAS levels will be found in around 6-10% of water systems, affecting some 100 million people in the U.S., co-founder of Clean Cape Fear, an advocacy group working to protect communities from PFAS contamination."I didn't think would ever do it." Donovan lives in an area of North Carolina which has been contaminated with PFAS from the Chemours chemical manufacturing plant.
Southerland says the new limits are a bold first step towards addressing the PFAS problem. And while the EPA has focused on only six chemicals, the treatments that water utilities use to remove these chemicals will also remove other chemicals of concern from drinking water.
EPA Drinking Water Standards PFAS Chemicals Health Environment Forever Chemicals
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