Signage is seen at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters in Washington, DC, USA, May 10, 2021.
Andrew Kelly | Reuters
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday released long-awaited regulations on some toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water.
The chemicals known as PFAS are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. They are made by binding two carbon molecules to fluorine, Tom Neltner explained to CNBC in 2023, when he worked as senior director of safer chemicals at the Environmental Defense Fund. The bonds are incredibly strong and take a long time to break down, earning them the nickname “chemicals for the ages.”
The chemicals are useful in many modern applications, from weatherproofing clothing to making nonstick pans. However, over time they can leach into the environment and enter the water supply.
According to the US Geological Survey, at least 45% of tap water in the US contains PFAS.
According to the EPA, long-term exposure to PFAS can be carcinogenic and cause serious illness, affecting a person’s quality of life and even death. Exposure during pregnancy and early childhood can also have negative health effects.
EPA’s new final rule sets limits for five individual PFASs: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA (also known as GenX chemicals). The EPA also sets a hazard index for PFAS when two or more of four are mixed: PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA and PFBS.
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In this final rule, EPA sets limits for five individual PFASs: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (known as GenX Chemicals). And the EPA also sets a hazard index for two or more of four PFAS as a mixture: PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA and PFBS.
EPA
The maximum contaminant level for PFOA and PFOS chemicals in drinking water is set at 4.0 parts per trillion. PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA (GenX chemicals) are limited to 10 parts per trillion. The mixtures of two or more PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA and PFBS have a hazard index limit of 1.
According to the EPA, compliance will cost about $1.5 billion annually.
Exactly who will foot the bill remains to be determined, but it will likely be a mix of private and government funding, as well as possibly fees or taxes levied on those who access water through the public water system.
The White House has committed $9 billion from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill to help communities affected by PFAS contamination of their drinking water.
The bill also provides an additional $12 billion to make general drinking water improvements for local communities’ water supplies, including addressing PFAS contamination.
M. Susan Hardwick, president and CEO of American Water, the largest private water utility, said the company will continue to prepare for compliance with the new rules and advocate for “means to reduce compliance costs.”
American Water says it provides water and wastewater services to customers in 14 states, including 18 military bases. Hardwick said the company has actively addressed PFAS in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and California.
However, a report commissioned by the American Water Works Association estimates that compliance with the rule will cost about $3.8 billion annually.
The American Chemistry Council said in a news release that the rule “ignores the science” and “undermines other water priorities.”
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2024-04-10 22:53:53
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