Finally we have federal regulations for some PFAs, although it will take years before all rules are in effect.
Read the original article here at WFSU News.
Officials with Tampa Bay Water say they have been preparing for new drinking water standards announced Wednesday by the federal government….
Long-term exposure to certain types has been linked to cancer, liver damage and even high cholesterol.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has now issued maximum contamination levels for six of these chemicals in drinking water.
“This is really historic and an incredible accomplishment of really this administration, following through on a campaign promise to regulate these chemicals, and to take action to address cancer,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
He’s been studying and advocating against PFAS for over a decade.
The maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, the chemical that was used to manufacture Teflon, and PFOS, the chemical commonly used in textile coatings as well as firefighting foam, are at 4 parts per trillion.
“And that limit was set as close as possible to zero … The labs can’t detect before below 4, so this is set as low as possible,” said Andrews.
For PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals” the maximum contaminant levels are 10 parts per trillion.
Because PFAS can often be found together in mixtures, EPA is also setting a limit for any mixture of two or more of PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX Chemicals.”
This means utilities are now required to test for the six PFAS, and filter them out if they exceed limits.
Click here to view an interactive map of PFAS contamination in the U.S.