WASHINGTONÂ – For the first time, the federal government will require water treatment plants to remove two toxic man-made chemicals that have been linked to serious health problems, such as cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, and immune system disorders. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed limits on six PFAS substances in drinking water.Â
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals. These chemicals have contaminated the soil, groundwater, surface water, and drinking water of communities across the nation. Nearly all Americans, including newborn babies, have PFAS in their bloodstream. They do not break down and persist in the environment, and nearly 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in their tap water, according to a peer-reviewed 2020 study. The EPA is proposing to regulate 6 PFAS at the federal level:
“EPA’s proposal to establish a national standard for PFAS in drinking water is informed by the best available science and would help provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that best protect their communities. This action has the potential to prevent tens of thousands of PFAS-related illnesses and marks a major step toward safeguarding all our communities from these dangerous contaminants,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.Â
The EPA is proposing to regulate 6 PFAS at the federal level: