New York – The Environmental Protection Agencyis rolling outitsfirst-everproposal to regulate”forever chemicals,” formally known as”PFAS”in drinkingwater, after finding the substances pose significant health risks.The agency predicts that the regulations could”prevent thousands of deaths.”
The proposedNational Primary Drinking Water Regulationwould create legally enforceablelevels for six types of PFAS (polyfluorinated alkyl substances)in public drinking water. PFAS are a group of manmade chemical compounds that are nearly indestructible, earning them the “forever chemicals” nickname. PFAS have been used since the 1940’s in various household objects like nonstick cookware,clothes, planes, and fire extinguishers.
The CDC says high PFAS levels in the body may lead to decreased vaccine response in children, increased cholesterol levels, small decreases in infant birth weights, and even an increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer.
“Even if we’re exposed to very, very low concentrations, we see negative health impacts, things like kidney cancer, testicular cancer, lowered immune responses, issues with cholesterol, reproductive health,”Charbonnetsaid.
Still, he says, the recent EPA crackdown is no need for panic.
“We do have some of the best quality tap water at affordable prices here in the U.S.,”Charbonnetsaid.”And this is just part of the process to make sure that we stay in the enviable position.”
The EPA estimates that the cost of the regulation could reach up to $1.2 billion every year, and local water treatment systems would have to implement the rules.Charbonnetemphasizes that not every water supply would have to make changes to meet the regulations.
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies(AMWA), however, isstillconcerned about those systems that will need to bear the burden. Their CEO Tim Dobbins telling Fox News, “The Polluters should be paying this cost, not the rate payers.”
Many, includingCharbonnetand Dobbins,point out that theseregulationsare tacklingthe issue of PFAScontaminationdownstream of the original source. There is a growing movement to stop using PFAS in manufacturing in the first place.
In fact, the AMWA recently endorsed a bill that would hold polluters accountable for PFAS cleanup costs.Charbonnetalso points out that people concerned about ingesting PFAS can choose to use PFAS-free products by checking outPFAS Central.org.
The EPA aims to finalize the regulations by the end of this year and is holding a public comment hearing in May.
