A new Environmental Protection Agency study reveals that toxic PFAS chemicals are present in the drinking water of about 70 million Americans.
Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The EPA's testing, covering one-third of U.S. water systems, suggests more than 200 million people might be affected.
- PFAS, linked to serious health issues, are prevalent in consumer products and industrial manufacturing.
- The Biden administration is working on setting limits for PFAS in drinking water, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Key quote:
"As we get more data in from water systems, we’re seeing PFAS is pretty prevalent in U.S. drinking water supplies."
— Jared Hayes, policy analyst, Environmental Working Group
Why this matters:
The presence of PFAS in drinking water poses significant health risks, including cancer and thyroid problems. This issue underscores the need for stringent environmental policies and public health measures at a national level.
Be sure to read our 2023 piece: Europe takes aim at long-lived toxic chemicals that move with water. Will the US follow its lead?
