The Environmental Protection Agency has made a groundbreaking announcement on Wednesday by introducing a new national regulation that focuses on limiting the presence of specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, in drinking water. This marks the first time the agency has taken such action to address the issue.
PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds that can be found in various places, including the air, water, and soil. These chemicals have a long-lasting impact on the environment, taking thousands of years to degrade.
The EPA has emphasized that there is no level of PFAS exposure that is considered safe, as it can have detrimental effects on health. In an effort to mitigate this risk, public water utilities will now be required to conduct testing for six different types of PFAS chemicals in order to minimize exposure in drinking water. This proactive measure is expected to benefit approximately 100 million individuals by reducing their PFAS exposure and subsequently preventing numerous deaths and illnesses.
In a statement on Wednesday, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan expressed concern over the long-standing issue of communities being affected by the contamination of drinking water with PFAS.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $1 billion to states and territories to support public water utility companies in meeting the new drinking water standards. This funding is part of a larger $9 billion investment made possible by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Its purpose is to assist communities affected by PFAS contamination by enabling the implementation of PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems.
Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, stated that President Biden is committed to ensuring that clean and safe drinking water is accessible to all.
Exposure to certain levels of PFAS in the environment has been proven to have detrimental effects on human health. Research indicates that it can lead to a variety of health issues, including decreased fertility and reproductive problems, developmental delays in children, low birth weight, a suppressed immune system, increased cholesterol levels, impacts to the cardiovascular system, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
According to Dr. Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Sciences, the most compelling data supports a link between environmental factors and kidney cancer and testicular cancer. However, there is also increasing evidence suggesting a connection between environmental exposures and various other types of cancer.
Critics argue that the EPA’s efforts fall short as there are over 15,000 PFAS chemicals, yet this standard only addresses six of them.
“I believe it is crucial for us to start addressing PFAS as a comprehensive group of chemicals,” emphasized Birnbaum. “We must question whether we truly require them.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) predicts that around 6% to 10% of the 66,000 public water utility systems affected by the standard will be required to take action in order to meet the regulations. Water operators will be given a three-year period to conduct tests for PFAS pollution, followed by an additional two years to procure and install the necessary technology to treat the contaminated water.
According to Olson, there is significant political resistance from both the chemical industry and certain water utilities who are opposed to the EPA’s regulation of these chemicals. They are fully aware that once the EPA imposes stricter regulations, it will have financial implications for them, and they are reluctant to invest in these measures.
The responsibility for cleaning up the PFAS contamination falls on the water utility companies, but the new regulations fail to hold polluters responsible for the environmental and health consequences caused by PFAS. In recent years, there have been significant settlements by chemical companies for PFAS contamination. One notable example is the $10.3 billion settlement reached by 3M in June 2023.
To minimize your potential exposure to PFAS in drinking water, you can inquire with your water utility about their testing methods for these chemicals. Alternatively, you can opt to have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory that follows EPA testing standards. If you’re concerned about PFAS in your home water source, you have the option to purchase various technologies that can effectively filter these substances. Furthermore, to stay informed about companies that have prohibited the use of PFAS in their products, there are several comprehensive lists available for reference.
