The EPA announced new limits on certain types of PFAS chemicals in drinking water.
in drinking water. It is the first time a nationwide limit on so-called forever chemicals has been imposed on water providers. EPA Administrator Michael Regan called it the biggest action the agency has ever taken on PFAS, saying the rule will reduce exposure for 100 million people.
There’s a wide range of health harms now associated with exposure to certain PFAS, many largely phased out. Cases of kidney disease, low birthweight and high cholesterol in addition to certain cancers can be prevented by removing PFAS from water, according to the EPA. For some other types, the limit is 10 parts per trillion, and there are also limits on certain PFAS combinations.
As a result of the rule, the EPA says nearly 10,000 fewer deaths will occur in the coming decades and tens of thousands of severe illnesses will be avoided.Environmental and public health groups have argued that limits should have been in place long ago, but they are generally thrilled with the announcement. They like that it sets limits for PFOA and PFOS at very low levels and that the agency did not agree with some utility groups that wanted a more lenient limit.
They’ve said the EPA’s $1.5 billion annual cost estimate is too low, water bills for consumers will go up and the health benefits of the rule aren’t big enough, especially at low PFAS concentrations, to justify all the expense.
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