A new Center for American Progress report titled "The Biden Administration's Move To Regulate Forever Chemicals in Water Is a Win for Public Health and Infrastructure" sheds light on the need for federal oversight of these persistent chemicals in drinking water, as they pose severe health risks and have permeated the environment.
With studies revealing that almost every American has traces of these per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood, the administration's proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) and accompanying funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mark a step toward protecting communities and ensuring access to safe drinking water nationwide, according to the report, published June 23.
"Requiring states to limit forever chemicals and providing them with the means to do so is a welcome action, particularly for communities overburdened by forever chemicals and less financially equipped to remove them," Sarah Millender, research assistant for Health Policy and co-author of the report, said in the report.
Studies indicate nearly all Americans have forever chemicals in their blood, primarily due to exposure through contaminated drinking water, food and air, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Pregnant women, children and low-income communities are particularly vulnerable to the negative health impacts associated with these chemicals, including immune system disorders, heart issues, reproductive problems, developmental complications and an increased risk of cancer.
These chemicals, including legacy chemicals like perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS), are known to be harmful even at low levels, the ATSDR reported. Forever chemicals enter the water supply through industrial sites, fire response sites, landfills and wastewater treatment centers, leading to widespread contamination across the U.S.
The Biden administration reportedly proposed the creation of the NPDWR in March 2023. This regulation aims to establish limits on six types of forever chemicals in drinking water, a crucial step toward protecting public health, according to an April news release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding includes the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program, which will assist states and communities in upgrading their drinking water systems and addressing forever chemicals, the release reported.
The proposed regulations are more stringent than existing state regulations, according to the EPA website. Public water systems will be required to monitor and reduce forever chemical levels if they exceed the proposed standards. This comprehensive approach aims to safeguard communities nationwide and ensure access to safe drinking water.
"This will better protect U.S. communities from forever chemicals now and support building better water systems for the future," Millender said in the report.
