The Biden administration has finalized strict limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, which will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest measurable level. This action is expected to impact around 100 million people, reducing exposure and preventing thousands of illnesses, including cancers. PFAS chemicals are long-lasting and widespread in the environment, making this rule the first national drinking water limit on such substances.
Health advocates lauded the Environmental Protection Agency for maintaining tough limits on PFAS that were proposed last year. However, water utilities have raised concerns about the cost of implementing treatment systems to comply with the new rule, stating that customers will ultimately have to shoulder the financial burden. Despite the opposition from water providers, the EPA stresses that these measures are crucial to making tap water safer for millions of consumers, aligning with a priority of the Biden administration.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan has described the rule as the most significant action taken by the agency on PFAS chemicals. The new rule aims to set strict limits on common types of PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion. The rule also requires water providers to test for these chemicals and inform the public when levels exceed the limits. Regan has emphasized that the comprehensive rule will significantly improve the health and well-being of communities across the United States.
Manufacturers of PFAS chemicals have faced criticism for knowing the dangers of these substances for decades but downplaying or hiding the evidence. Environmental and health advocates argue that the limits on PFAS in drinking water should have been established sooner to reduce exposure effectively. The cost of reducing PFAS in drinking water is considered the most cost-effective approach to reducing exposure, compared to addressing other sources of PFAS contamination, such as food, clothing, or carpets.
The new regulation has drawn praise from environmental and health advocates, who believe it will lead to safer drinking water for millions of Americans. However, some communities have been caught off guard by test results revealing high levels of PFAS contamination in their water supply. Water utilities will have three years to conduct testing and two more years to install treatment systems if levels exceed the limits. While some financial assistance is available, utilities argue that additional resources will be necessary to comply with the new rule.
Recent shifts in the EPA’s health guidance for PFAS reflect growing concerns about the health impacts and widespread presence of these chemicals. The agency has revised its stance on safe exposure levels, emphasizing that no amount of PFAS is considered safe. Public alarm over PFAS contamination has led to increased activism and advocacy for stricter regulations. The tragic death of a young woman named Amara, believed to be linked to PFAS exposure, has further reinforced the urgency of addressing PFAS contamination nationwide.
