The new Environmental Protection Agency regulations limit the two most common PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — to four parts per trillion in drinking water, close to the level of detection. The agency says the goal for these chemicals should be zero.
Every municipal water system in the country must test for, and limit, the presence of five PFAS chemicals within five years, according to new guidelines set by the federal government. It's the first time these toxic chemicals have been regulated at the national level.
Speaking Tuesday, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said that the new regulations will reduce PFAS exposure for about 100 million people. Public water systems have three years to complete their initial monitoring for these chemicals, and must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water. Where PFAS is found at levels that exceed these standards, systems must reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years.
Heiger-Bernays applauded the new regulations, saying that ultimately they will protect human health, but"DEP now has to go back to the drawing board." "We have seen systems send the same sample of water to two separate labs and have an eight part per trillion difference in the result," said Jennifer Pederson, executive director of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, an industry group.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EPA Announces New Drinking Water Standards to Limit Exposure to PFAS ChemicalsThe 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.
Read more »
EPA imposes first limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking waterAria Bendix is the breaking health reporter for NBC News Digital.
Read more »
Nature Research Seeking Environmental Scientist with Background in Environmental EconomicsNature Research is looking for an environmental scientist with a strong background in environmental economics to join their team. The scientist should have a deep understanding of the subject and the ability to think critically and dynamically when faced with new information.
Read more »
PFAS 'forever chemicals' above drinking water guidelines in global source waterPFAS (aka 'forever chemicals') are notoriously difficult to destroy. They've been linked to environmental and health issues, including some cancers, but a lot remains unknown about the true scale and potential impacts of the problem -- including how much is in our water supply.
Read more »
EPA Requires Reduction of Toxic Emissions from Chemical Plants NationwideThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new rule requiring over 200 chemical plants across the country to reduce toxic emissions that can cause cancer. This rule aligns with President Joe Biden's commitment to environmental justice and aims to protect communities burdened by industrial pollution. The affected facilities are located in Texas, Louisiana, the Ohio River Valley, West Virginia, and the upper South, benefiting a majority-Black town in Louisiana visited by EPA Administrator Michael Regan in 2021.
Read more »
Biden admin imposes first national drinking water limits on toxic PFASOfficials say limits on forever chemicals will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers.
Read more »