EPA to Limit 'Forever Chemicals' in Drinking Water

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Facts

  • The Biden Administration on Wednesday set the first-ever national limits on 'forever chemicals,' or perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in drinking water.1
  • The new regulation is aimed at reducing exposure to PFAS — toxic and synthetic compounds that don't degrade in the environment and cause multiple health issues, including cancer and development delays in children.2
  • Water utilities will need to test for six types of PFAS in drinking water and reduce their levels in drinking water to four parts per trillion or less starting in 2029. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it's the lowest level that can be reliably measured.3
  • Utilities will have three years to monitor for PFAS and a further two to treat polluted water. As part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA will provide $1B to states and territories to help implement PFAS monitoring and treatment in public water systems.2
  • According to the EPA, implementing the new regulation and ensuring safer drinking water for millions of Americans could cost up to $1.5B a year, prevent at least 10K deaths over decades, and reduce serious illnesses caused by PFAS exposure.4
  • This is the first time the EPA has set enforceable national limits on forever chemicals in drinking water. Since the 1940s, PFAS — a group of man-made chemicals with water, stain, and heat-resistant qualities — have been used in products like clothing, furniture, and semiconductors.5

Sources: 1The Hill, 2CBS, 3Washington Post, 4Associated Press and 5NPR Online News.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Bloomberg. Regulating PFAS levels in drinking water will be extremely expensive for utility providers, and this cost increase will almost certainly be passed onto consumers. It should be implemented only when the government promises to subsidize more of this incredibly costly regulatory process.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by US EPA. Forever chemicals have known harmful health impacts and must be regulated. It's outrageous that toxic and nondegradable chemicals are present in America's drinking water, and it's high time that water providers tested for and treated water containing PFAS.

Predictions