US Plan to Eliminate ‘Forever Chemicals’ from Drinking Water – Nature.com

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a plan to eliminate “forever chemicals” from drinking water. Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a variety of consumer products for decades. These chemicals are highly resistant to degradation and can remain in the environment and human bodies for long periods of time.

The EPA’s plan focuses on reducing the presence of PFAS in drinking water. The agency has proposed a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for two of the most widely used PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. This is the first time the EPA has proposed a nationwide drinking water standard for PFAS. The proposal also includes a plan to monitor other PFAS chemicals and set standards for them in the future.

The EPA’s plan is an important step towards protecting public health from the potential risks associated with PFAS exposure. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to a variety of health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease, and reproductive issues. The EPA’s plan will help ensure that Americans have access to safe drinking water by reducing the amount of PFAS present in our water supply.

In addition to setting a drinking water standard, the EPA’s plan also includes measures to reduce the presence of PFAS in other sources, such as food and consumer products. The agency is working with manufacturers to reduce the use of PFAS in products, and is encouraging states to develop their own regulations to further reduce PFAS exposure.

The EPA’s plan is a positive step towards protecting public health from the potential risks associated with PFAS exposure. However, it is important to note that eliminating PFAS from our environment will require a comprehensive approach that includes reducing the use of these chemicals in consumer products, monitoring their presence in our water supply, and setting standards for their presence in our food and other sources. Only then will we be able to truly eliminate these “forever chemicals” from our environment.

Source: news.google.com

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