The EPA releases a landmark proposal to contain chemicals in drinking water forever

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed the first-ever standards for PFAS chemicals in drinking water.

It must contain no more than four parts per trillion for PFOA and four parts per trillion for PFOS, the new proposed limits say.

The move could mean drinking water is drastically safer for almost everyone in the U.S. and prevents thousands of deaths, the EPA said.

PFAS are a category of man-made chemicals that, over time, can cause serious health problems like cancer.

The chemicals are found in all kinds of products, including cleaning supplies, cookware, dishes, stain-resistant carpets and clothing, and even toilet paper.

Drinking water must contain no more than four parts per trillion for PFOA and four parts per trillion for PFOS under the new proposed regulations

Public water systems must monitor these chemicals. When levels exceed standards, systems need to inform the public and reduce contamination.

There will also be a standard based on the hazardousness of a mix of four other PFAS chemicals: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and HFPO-DA (commonly known as Gen X).

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “Communities in this country have suffered from the ever-present threat of PFAS pollution for far too long.”

He added, “This action has the potential to prevent tens of thousands of PFAS-related diseases and represents an important step in protecting all of our communities from these dangerous pollutants.”

PFAS chemicals are used as oil and water repellants and coatings for common products such as cookware, carpets and textiles.

The endocrine disruptors do not degrade when released into the environment and continue to accumulate over time.

PFAS chemicals can contaminate drinking water supplies near facilities where the chemicals are used.

They also enter the food supply through food packaging materials and contaminated soil.

Concerned about the chemicals’ ability to weaken children’s immune systems, the EPA said last year that PFAS could cause damage at levels “much lower than previously thought.”

There is evidence linking the compounds to low birth weight, kidney cancer and a host of other health problems.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk