26 million people in U.S. ingest toxic chemicals through drinking water
Environmentalists are calling on the Biden administration to finalize drinking water standards as soon as possible
WASHINGTON – A date published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found toxic polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFAS, in the drinking water of 26 million people in the U.S.
These chemicals are used in a variety of products, including nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam.
PFAS have been linked to several health problems, including cancer, low weight in infants and suppressed immune function.
According to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, PFAS is linked to cancers of the kidneys and testicles, low infant weight, suppressed immune function, and other adverse health effects.
It is found in the blood of 99% of Americans and a similar percentage of people around the world.
Environmentalists are calling on the Biden administration to finalize drinking water standards as soon as possible.
“The initial data indicate that multiple forever chemicals are being detected in public water systems, with two specific PFAS (PFOS and PFOA) concentrations above the proposed maximum contaminant levels (the highest levels of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water) in over 150 systems,” said Elizabeth Southerland, a former EPA water specialist now with the advocacy group Environmental Protection Network.
“It is critically important that EPA continue to release this data every quarter so the public can see as quickly as possible if their drinking water has PFAS levels of concern.”
The two PFAS most found in water systems are PFOS and PFOA.
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires U.S. utilities to test drinking water for 29 different PFAS compounds and publish the results every five years.
Katie Pelch, a scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), said in a statement that the PFAS test results indicate that tap water is highly contaminated.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2021 provides $9 billion for investments in communities whose drinking water is contaminated with PFAS and other toxins.
However, other bills to limit PFAS have failed in Congress due to intense lobbying by the chemical industry.
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