The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, aiming to reduce exposure and prevent illnesses. The rule will require utilities to reduce PFAS levels to the lowest measurable level, benefiting 100 million people. While health advocates support the move, water utilities express concerns about the cost of implementing treatment systems.
FILE - Eva Stebel, water researcher, pours a water sample into a smaller glass container for experimentation as part of drinking water and PFAS research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response on Feb. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.
PFAS chemicals are hazardous because they don't degrade in the environment and are linked to health issues such as low birth weight and kidney cancer. They've been used in everyday products including nonstick pans, firefighting foam and waterproof clothing. Although some of the most common types are phased out in the U.S., others remain. Water providers will now be forced to remove contamination put in the environment by other industries.
Over the last year, EPA has periodically released batches of utility test results for PFAS in drinking water. Roughly 16% of utilities found at least one of the two strictly limited PFAS chemicals at or above the new limits. These utilities serve tens of millions of people. The Biden administration, however, expects about 6-10% of water systems to exceed the new limits.
"I mean, obviously, it was a shock," said Joseph Hastings, director of the joint public works department for the Collegeville and Trappe boroughs, whose job includes solving problems presented by new regulations.
EPA Limits PFAS Drinking Water Exposure Illnesses Utilities Treatment Systems Cost
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