New data reveals that drinking water systems across America are contaminated with toxic 'forever chemicals,' affecting at least 70 million citizens.
In short:
- More than 70 million Americans receive water containing PFAS chemicals that exceed EPA reporting levels.
- These persistent chemicals are linked to significant health risks and are found in a wide array of consumer products.
- The EPA is collecting data and is expected to enforce new drinking water regulations for these substances.
Key quote:
"The risk to individuals and the population is based on not just what the concentration is but what the frequency of that exposure is."
— Shalene Thomas, emerging contaminants program manager at Battelle
Why this matters:
The health implications of exposure to PFAS are still being studied, but evidence suggests that high levels of exposure may lead to adverse health outcomes, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease. The persistence of these chemicals in the environment and their bioaccumulation in the human body make them a particularly challenging and concerning pollutant.
In 2023, the EPA released proposed drinking water standards for six “forever chemicals.”
