Article Summary –
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently established new limits for toxic “forever chemicals” in US drinking water systems. USA TODAY’s analysis found 608 systems that serve nearly 35 million people have measured per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at or above these limits since last year, while a further 13 million people received water from systems that detected the chemicals at levels requiring reporting to the EPA. PFAS, used in various products including food packaging and firefighting foam, are almost indestructible, accumulate in the environment and human bodies, and increase the risk of cancer and other serious health problems.
Millions of Americans at Risk Due to Excess “Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water Systems
Drinking water systems serving millions of Americans have exceeded new limits for toxic “forever chemicals”, known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). According to a recent analysis by USA TODAY, 608 systems across the country have measured PFAS at or above the newly set Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits. These systems serve nearly 35 million people.
Impact of the New EPA Limits on PFAS
An additional 13 million people drink water from systems that have detected PFAS almost at the new limits. However, unless their running annual average surpasses the new limits, the EPA would not require changes to these water systems. These chemicals, used widely in food packaging, firefighting foam, and other nonstick items, can increase the risk of cancer and other serious health problems.
Last year, the EPA began requiring thousands of water systems to test for over 24 types of PFAS. However, large cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia aren’t yet available in the EPA data set.
Water Systems’ Response to PFAS Limits
The EPA estimates that the new limits could impact up to 100 million people. However, large cities have exceeded PFAS limits at higher rates than smaller places. For example, about a third of water systems serving over 100,000 people have surpassed the new limits.
Despite these results, it’s vital to understand that these results represent single points in time. For instance, the EPA data shows that Louisville, Kentucky, measured PFOA at about double its limit one time in the half-dozen samples reported last year.
Long-term Impact of PFAS
David Trueba, a chemist and president of Revive Environmental, emphasizes the importance of long-term trends. He states, “If (PFAS) is consistent, pervasive, and concentrated, above a certain level, that’s what makes the difference.” Hundreds of systems within the EPA data show the same water sampling sites exceeded the new limits across more than one test date last year.
Meeting the PFAS Rules: A Costly Affair?
The EPA has now put standards on six of the most common and most studied forever chemicals. As a result, nearly 7,000 water systems may eventually need to take action to remove these PFAS from their water. Installing new equipment to comply with the new standards could cost around $3 million for a medium-sized city. The EPA estimates the nationwide cost at $1.5 billion per year for America’s 66,000 public drinking water systems to monitor their water for PFAS and take the necessary actions.
PFAS Enforcement: Not Immediate but Inevitable
While the PFAS limits are now official, the EPA is rolling them out in phases over the next few years. Water systems must complete their initial monitoring for PFAS within the next three years. Then, from 2027 to 2029, they’ll continue monitoring their levels at least once annually, informing customers of the results and any violations. The limits can be enforced starting five years from now, but potential penalties for violating the limits remain uncertain.
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