This is the first time the EPA has imposed national standards on these forever chemicals.
Most Americans have PFAS in their blood, and the chemicals pollutemore than 80%of U.S. waterways.
I really thought this day would never come.
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Communities that have been burdened with PFAS-contaminated drinking water have waited nearly a decade for action from the EPA.
Within five years, they must use PFAS filtration systems or implement other solutions to reduce toxicity.
Today, the EPA did their job.
Only11 U.S. stateshave enforceable standards for safe drinking water.
What This Will Mean for Water Cleanliness
There are more than 12,000 known PFAS.
The threshold is set at 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX Chemicals.
Environmental lawyerRobert Bilott, JD, was among the first people to bring national attention to PFAS toxicity.
We are trying to do what we can to get compensation and recoveries, Bilott said.
In the meantime, states can enact stricter PFAS limits on their own drinking water systems.
Testing your water supply for toxicity can be expensive for most people.
If you choose to test water yourself, it’s possible for you to send samples to anEPA-approved laboratory.
Environmental Protection Agency.PFAS strategic roadmap: EPAs commitments to action 2021-2024.
Environmental Protection Agency.Biden-Harris Administration finalizes first-ever national drinking water standard to protect 100m people from PFAS pollution.
