Pennsylvania sets drinking water standards on two 'forever chemical' PFAS compounds
(link) https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2023/01/14/pennsylvania-sets-drinking-water-standards-on-two-forever-chemical-pfas-compounds/
Caption: The Cutaiar family drinks only bottled water at her home in Sellersville because her family's well was found to be contaminated with PFAS. Photo: Emma Lee / WHYY
JANUARY 14, 2023 | 3:39 PM
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection adopted new limits on two of the toxic class of chemicals known as PFAS.
Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” because they don’t naturally break down in the environment, PFAS compounds are linked to serious health issues, including some cancers.
The move means that all public and private drinking water treatment facilities in the state, along with commercial bottled water plants, and school and healthcare facilities will have to test for the toxic substance, report the findings and treat water for the chemicals present above the new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).
Although the chemicals have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, scientists refer to them as “emerging contaminants” because so much is unknown about their impact on human health.
There are no federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS, shorthand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in public drinking water. As a result, states have taken action, and a patchwork of regulations now exists across the country.
- more at link -
RELATED - Also there was this story from last June on Spotlight:
(link) https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2022/06/pfas-chemicals-drinking-water-benner-township-contamination/
Headline: Pa. waited more than 2 years to test wells after finding nearby contamination. Now this neighborhood wants answers.
by Adam Smeltz for Spotlight PA State College | June 28, 2022
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection began providing bottled water this year to at least nine households where well water registered above a longstanding federal health advisory threshold for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” for their inability to break down naturally.
But as the DEP investigation in Benner Township, Centre County, approaches its third anniversary, Walnut Grove Estates residents want to know why the state didn’t start checking their wells until December — and they worry what the contamination means for their health.
“It went way, way, way too long,” said Gene Stocker, 71, whose home borders the airport’s southeast grounds.
- more at link -
These stories are related, and both are important to Pennsylvanians. Therefore I'm posting both here.
It's not all about fracking contamination.
= new reply since forum marked as read
And the not so great state of TN, still puts MTBE in gas. Terrible mileage, compated to non-MTBE states, and permanently destroys water.
WTF do they not understand about the importance of water? It shouldn't take a "rocket scientist" - out bodies are what % water?????
Next I'm hoping there will be fines on the companies that are ruining our drinking water. Again, it's not all about fracking even though those fracking oil companies brought about the ground water crisis a few years ago. The de-icing chemicals being used at the Penn State airport - that's gotta stop!
