WASHINGTON, DC – April 10, 2024 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals on April 9th. Michael Regan, the EPA administrator, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper spoke at the P.O. Hoffer Water Treatment Facility in Fayetteville, the next day, to talk about keeping people healthier with these new federal water standards. PFAS were manufactured at the Chemours Works plant in Fayetteville and were identified in the nearby Cape Fear River in 2017. The safe drinking water standards set maximum contaminant levels for 6 PFAS chemicals.
PFAS is an abbreviation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are frequently referred to as “forever chemicals” because they decompose very slowly over time. The chemicals are found in many products to make them slippery and resistant to water and oils, including: nonstick cookware, some fire-fighting foams, water-repellent clothing like firefighting gear, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, dental floss and some cosmetics. There are thousands of different PFAS. PFAS have been manufactured since the 1940’s and some are no longer produced in the U.S. because of their known toxicity.
PFAS are found in the soil, water, air, and near landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites. The chemicals are also found in people, animals, the environment and food products such as fish. Levels of PFAS have been shown to increase over time because they are slow to break down. Some occupations are more at-risk to exposure, like firefighting and industrial workers involved with PFAS manufacturing and processing. People may be at higher risk if they live near landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites. Pregnant women and children are more frequently exposed to PFAS because they drink a lot of water.
Exposure to PFAS have been associated with harmful health effects in humans and animals. Some examples are: decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant women, low birth weight newborns, behavioral changes, increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, compromise of the immune system, interference with hormones, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of obesity.
Federal funds will be allocated to states and territories to fund PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems. They will also help private well owners with PFAS contamination. The EPA estimates that between 6-10% of the 66 thousand public drinking water systems in the U.S. exceed the new maximum contaminant levels. The new standards will limit exposure for 100 million people across the country. It is estimated that they will prevent thousands of deaths and thousands of serious illnesses.
Listen to the full report below:
Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, healthyasheville@ashevillefm.org