NBC News's Aria Bendix is reporting on the EPA's new PFAS ruling.
The EPA has introduced the first national limits for six types of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in drinking water. These chemicals, which persist in the environment and have been linked to various health issues such as cancer and heart disease, are difficult to degrade and almost impossible to destroy. The new regulations set the allowable levels of two common PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) at 4 parts per trillion, and three other PFAS types (PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX chemicals) at 10 parts per trillion. These standards aim to detect and treat PFAS at the lowest feasible levels, though the goal is to eliminate them entirely as no exposure level is considered safe. The EPA estimates that between 4,100 and 6,700 public water systems will need to adjust to comply with these new limits. The move is seen as a significant step towards improving public health, with an estimated prevention of thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of serious illnesses linked to PFAS exposure. The EPA also announced $1 billion in funding to support testing and treatment of PFAS, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to addressing this pervasive issue.
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Source: NBC
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/epa-limits-pfas-chemicals-drinking-water-first-time-rcna147000
(This article was written with assistance from ChatGPT)
