“The proposed plan would put stern limits of 4 parts per trillion, the lowest level that can easily detect, for two general types of PFAS compounds called PFOS and PFOA. Also, the EPA wants to regulate the combined amount of all four other types of Forever chemicals.”
On Tuesday, The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new health parameter in which the amount of harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water needs limit to the lowest level so that tests can detect them. This new water safety law will save thousands of lives and prevent serious water-borne illnesses.
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This marks that the Environmental Protection Agency has come up with a proposal for putting regulations on a toxic group of compounds that are widespread, detrimental, and costly to remove from water.
PFAs also called per- and polyfluorinated substances, are non-biodegradable and associated with a wide range of health disorders, including kidney cancer, and low birth weight. EPA says drinking water is a potential source of PFAs exposure for people.
‘Forever Chemicals’ Leave A Decades-Long Legacy
PFAs or Forever chemicals had been used in consumer products and industry for the last 80 years. Their use is now almost no more in the U.S., but some still remain.
The proposed plan would put stern limits of 4 parts per trillion, the lowest level that can easily detect, for two general types of PFAS compounds called PFOS and PFOA. Also, the EPA wants to regulate all four other types of Forever chemicals.
In this proposal, the public would able to make comments and the EPA can make changes before issuing a final regulation. Water providers will get some time to adjust.