This week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules requiring municipal utilities to remove several specific chemicals within the PFAS family from water supplies.
PFAS refers to a large group of industrial chemicals. The new regulations target a handful of the best-studied PFAS, which have been linked to certain cancers and birth complications.
Virtually all Americans have measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public health advocates across the country have been calling on federal and state governments to regulate PFAS in drinking water for years. Melanie Benesh of the Environmental Working Group characterized the EPA’s decision as “life changing.”
Benesh told PBS NewsHour’s William Brangham that PFAS contamination in the United States is pervasive, and that the new regulation is the most efficient way the federal government can reduce the public’s exposure to these hazardous chemicals.
Source: Science on PBS Newshour
...what has happen to water is criminal.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Flint MI troubles, and all the drought producing difficulties, we need a governing body to ensure clean water for everyone. Wait, isn't the EPA supposed to do that!
DeleteClean water is very important, the regulations are necessary! Take care, have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteYes, we should all have clean drinking water.
DeleteHi Barbara, Regarding the question you asked about the length of our Delmarva exploratory trip, blog wise it went on for a long time...but you knew that. The actual length of the trip was only 10 days... As for clean drinking water, we're all for improvements. The water in our home goes through two home filtering systems but whether or not it scrubs out these chemicals we have no clue...but kind of doubt it. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteWe actually have two fresh springs that I could go to and fill up gallon jugs of drinking water right from the earth (though I know one has lithium in it). I've given up on filters at this point since my Britta pitcher grew mold twice. I at least can taste that Black Mountain water system is better than that of Asheville (nearby.) Now I have to figure out how to dispose of my non-stick skillet that has PFAS. Can't see donating it to a thrift store, thus passing on the poison. Nor putting it in land fill. Mmm, there's sometimes a "toxic metals" trash pick-up. I'll look for that. Thanks for telling me your trip was just 10 days. You all sure packed a lot into that time! And at least a thousand photos!
DeleteLithium in water is beneficial.
DeleteThis is crazy - I read about your water-problem here in Germany! It was in our news!
ReplyDeleteThe next time I move, it will be to a place with cleaner water. Of course, it’s not always easy to find out.
ReplyDelete