The US finalizes rules for chemicals in water
The EPA’s final rule will give a better understanding of the public health risks of PFAS in the tap water and how it will save millions of lives
Scientists are not sure how exposure to PFAS affects people. Initial studies show that high exposure to certain types of cancer and high cholesterol can be linked to lower infant birth weight.
Southerland says that they will take out pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products that aren’t regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
A Harvard study shows that communities with a larger percentage of black and Latino residents are exposed to higher levels of harmful PFCs in drinking water.
” There’s no doubt that the chemicals are valuable for certain industries and consumer uses, but they’re also harmful to our health and our environment,” said Michael Regan in a call with reporters.
Manufactured by several large companies including Dupont and 3M, PFAS have strong molecular bonds that don’t break down for a long time, which is why they’re known as “forever chemicals.”
The agency estimates that it will cost $1.5 billion a year for water companies to comply with the regulation – for as long as PFAS continues to show up in the drinking water. “The costs are not just for a one time sampling and then putting in the treatment,” Southerland says. They include ongoing monitoring and maintaining equipment, for instance replacing carbon filters on a regular schedule.
She believes that seeing the EPA set limits is valid. She says her group was told six years ago that the water met or exceeded federal and state guidelines. She says that’s because there wasn’t any. “It really broke public trust for so many people in our community.”
The final rule is a breakthrough for public health, says a senior director with NRDC. “We believe it’s going to save thousands of lives as a result of reduced exposure of tens of millions of people to these toxic chemicals in the tap water.”
The EPA says that if the cost is not shaved off, the benefits will equal, if not exceed, the cost.
The announcement contains $1 billion in grants for water systems and private well owners. It’s part of a $9 billion funding package for removal of the PFAS. The businesses that made these chemicals are being sued for $10 billion and the money will go to public water systems to remove PFCS.
Some of those costs may eventually be passed on to consumers if water systems aren’t able to access those funds.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that it will cost $1.5 billion a year for water companies to comply with the regulation, for as long as PFAS continues to show up in the drinking water. The rule will give a better understanding of the public health risks of PFAS in the tap water, an official said.