The EPA has proposed a maximum level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for two types of PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The agency is still working on the proposal to set a national standard for PFAS in drinking water, but this is the first step toward making sure those toxins don’t pose an unnecessary health risk.
Radical Move
The move could radically affect drinking water for nearly everyone in the United States.
The EPA will soon propose a new limit on PFAS levels in drinking water, setting off a years-long process to finalize it and enforce it across states. The agency has said that its goal is to set a national standard for PFAS that would apply across all public water systems, though it has yet to release details about what this limit would be or how exactly it plans to implement it nationwide.
PFAS or ‘Forever Chemicals’
The EPA wants to do more to protect people from these chemicals. The public comment period on the proposal started a little bit ago, so people can weigh in if they think it should be stricter or looser.
Agency officials estimate that about six million people get their drinking water from sources that are contaminated with PFAS chemicals, including those who live near military bases where PFAS was used for firefighting foam and training purposes.
PFAS
PFAS are a family of ubiquitous synthetic chemicals that linger in the environment and the human body, where they can cause serious health problems.
They’ve been found in drinking water supplies around the country — including in Minnesota’s Twin Cities — although it’s unclear whether this is a result of contamination from industrial sources or other sources like military bases where PFAS were used for training exercises.
Levels vary significantly by location. The study was conducted by the CDC, which tested blood samples from 2,000 people in six states.
The results were alarming. With 93% of participants had at least one type of PFAS chemical in their system. Additionally, 30% had two or more types.
New Standards
The EPA is proposing a level that would be the first standard for PFAS in drinking water. The proposed limit is between two and five parts per trillion (ppt), depending on the chemical. This applies to all sources of drinking water, including public water systems and private wells.
What does this mean?
The EPA is proposing a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water. It would result in an estimated annual cost of approximately $500 million to $900 million.
If anyone is concerned about PFAS in their water, there are some things they can do. They can test for them at home with a kit from the EPA or from other manufacturers. If the results show that there are high levels of PFAS chemicals in the drinking water Contact local authorities immediately and ask what they will do next.
Written By Agustin Perez
Sources
CNN: EPA proposes first standards to make drinking water safer from ‘forever chemicals’
EPA: Biden-Harris Administration Proposes First-Ever National Standard to Protect Communities from PFAS in Drinking Water
Whitehouse: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Biden-Harris Administration Proposes First-Ever National Standards to Combat PFAS in Drinking Water
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