A new watchdog report by Environment America, US PIRG, and Frontier Group reveals alarming levels of “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in US drinking water.
The report warns that these concerning compounds, associated with numerous health risks, are likely to be present in all major drinking water sources.
Alarming Levels of ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in US Drinking Water
The revelations stem from a 2022 study focusing on PFAS levels in US surface waters, which revealed that a staggering 83 percent of the waterways examined contained at least one PFAS compound.
As of June 2022, 2,858 locations across 50 states and two US territories were confirmed to be contaminated with PFAS, according to the report.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research organization, has further analyzed the data and concluded that PFAS compounds are now likely present in all major drinking water supplies throughout the nation.
These concerning findings spotlight the widespread nature of PFAS contamination, which often originates from industrial sites and firefighting equipment.
PFAS compounds can infiltrate waterways used for drinking water, raising alarm among health experts and environmental advocates.
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EPA Proposes Standards Amidst Debate
Moreover, even low-level exposure to PFAS has been associated with adverse effects.
In response to the escalating concerns, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first-ever national standard for six specific PFAS chemicals in drinking water.
However, critics argue that this proposal falls short given the vast array of PFAS compounds. The report highlights the necessity for a comprehensive approach to PFAS regulation, advocating for regulations that encompass all PFAS chemicals as a single class.
According to an EPA spokesperson, the proposed national primary drinking water regulation would apply to specific PFAS compounds, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS).
Although the proposal is pending finalization and implementation, it is anticipated to come into effect by the end of the current year.
As public awareness about PFAS contamination grows, concerned citizens are encouraged to contact their local water utilities to inquire about water testing results.
The EPA is actively collecting comprehensive drinking water data for 29 PFAS compounds from public water systems, aiming to better understand and mitigate the extent of PFAS contamination across the nation from this year through 2025.
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