The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.
The Biden administration announced the implementation of its legally enforceable drinking water standard aimed at safeguarding communities from the harmful effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals.’
Officials expect to reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers. The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long-lasting in the environment.
PFAS exposure has been associated with severe health implications, including fatal cancers, liver and heart complications, as well as immune and developmental disorders in infants and children.
This significant regulation marks a pivotal stride in public health protection outlined in the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are already present in almost everything.
Researchers provided evidence that traces of the widely used PFAS chemicals in human blood are associated with unfavorable lipid profiles and thus with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The findings are based on data from more than 2,500 adults. PFAS were detectable in the blood of nearly all study participants.
The findings of the Bonn researchers are the latest contribution to the current debate on the effect of PFAS on human health. “We see clear signs of a harmful effect of PFAS on health. And we have found that at the same PFAS concentration in the blood, the negative effects are more pronounced in younger subjects than in older ones,” says Prof. Dr. Dr. Monique Breteler, Director of Population Health Sciences at DZNE. The results of the current study also suggest that even relatively low PFAS concentrations in the blood are associated with unfavorable blood lipid profiles.
“Our data shows a statistically significant correlation between PFAS in the blood and harmful blood lipids linked to cardiovascular risk. The higher the PFAS level, the higher the concentration of these lipids. Taken strictly, this is not yet a proof that PFAS chemicals cause the unfavorable blood lipid profiles. However, the close correlation supports this suspicion. It is a strong argument for stricter regulation of PFAS in order to protect health,” says the Bonn researcher.
Strikingly, PFAS could be detected in the blood of almost all test subjects. Which means you cannot escape these chemicals. “Even if we don’t see an immediate health threat for the study participants we examined, the situation is still worrying. In the long term, the increased risk may very well have a negative impact on the heart and cardiovascular system,” says Breteler.
PFAS can be found in many products, including: Cleaning products, Water-resistant fabrics, Grease-resistant paper, Nonstick cookware, ersonal care products, Stain-resistant coatings, Shampoo, Dental floss, Toilet paper, Cell phones, Wall paint, Carpeting, Plumber’s tape, and Guitar strings.
PFAS are also present in household dust, dryer lint, and food packaging. PFAS have been detected in drinking water wells and meltwater that flows into streams, lakes, and rivers.
PFAS are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and younger people are particularly affected.
The final rule, projected to diminish PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million individuals, anticipates averting thousands of fatalities and tens of thousands of grave illnesses. This initiative, complementing President Biden’s comprehensive strategy to counter PFAS contamination, aligns with his overarching commitment to fortifying environmental safeguards.
As part of the broader Investing in America agenda, the EPA is earmarking unprecedented funding to guarantee access to clean and safe water for all. Nearly $1 billion in fresh funding, made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will assist states and territories in conducting PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems, alongside aiding owners of private wells in mitigating PFAS contamination.
This financial injection, constituting part of a $9 billion allocation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, stands as the largest-ever endeavor to tackle PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion is earmarked for general drinking water enhancements, encompassing strategies to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.
The final standard announcement, scheduled to take place in Fayetteville, North Carolina, features EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.
Fayetteville serves as a poignant reminder of the criticality of such measures, given its previous exposure to PFAS pollution from a nearby manufacturing facility.
Regan remarked, “Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long.” He underscored President Biden’s unwavering commitment to curbing PFAS hazards, leveraging historic resources to safeguard communities nationwide.
Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Brenda Mallory, echoed this sentiment, asserting President Biden’s dedication to ensuring equitable access to clean water, which is intrinsic to advancing environmental justice.
The final rule, featuring legally enforceable thresholds for various PFAS compounds in drinking water, targets five individual PFAS and imposes limits on mixtures of select PFAS compounds. By curtailing PFAS exposure, this regulation anticipates forestalling myriad adverse health effects, including certain cancers, liver and heart ailments in adults, and developmental impairments in children.
While EPA estimates that a modest percentage of public drinking water systems may necessitate remedial action to meet these new standards, all systems have a grace period of three years to conduct initial monitoring. Where PFAS levels exceed stipulated standards, water systems are mandated to implement solutions within a five-year timeframe.
The rule envisages attainable solutions utilizing a spectrum of available technologies, such as granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange systems. This flexibility empowers drinking water systems to tailor solutions to their specific community needs.
EPA pledges collaborative support with state co-regulators to facilitate smooth implementation of the rule. A series of forthcoming webinars will provide stakeholders with comprehensive insights into the final PFAS drinking water regulation.
The announcement has garnered widespread acclaim from advocacy groups and stakeholders, lauding the Biden administration’s proactive stance against PFAS pollution. Notable figures such as North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and environmental advocates have expressed gratitude for the administration’s decisive action in safeguarding public health.