Latest news with #SafeWaterDrinkingAct
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Navy wants to test drinking water for synthetic chemicals near Chesapeake's Northwest Annex
CHESAPEAKE — The U.S. Navy is asking Chesapeake residents who live within a mile of the Northwest Annex to reach out and have their drinking water wells sampled for certain long-lasting synthetic chemicals. The Navy is testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are a combination of thousands of different chemicals that have been commonly used in household and industrial products for decades, particularly due to stain- and water-repellent qualities. The chemicals tend to stick around for a long time. So the Navy and Department of Defense have developed policies to address past releases of PFAS at its installations nationwide. At the Northwest Annex, the previous use of firefighting foam for testing, training, firefighting and other activities resulted in PFAS being present in the groundwater there, prompting the need to sample nearby drinking water wells located in the direction the groundwater flows away from the Northwest Annex. The Northwest Annex includes various support services for the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marine Corps Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection and NATO. It also operates the largest small-arms range facilities in Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. RFK Jr.'s MAHA report raises concerns about vaccines, American foods and prescription drugs FDA panel debates COVID vaccine recipe as questions swirl about fall shots Measles is very contagious. Here's how to avoid it For kids with autism, swim classes can be lifesaving Markers in blood and urine may reveal how much ultraprocessed food we are eating In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency released new regulations and standards for PFAS in drinking water as part of the Safe Water Drinking Act. Also in 2024, the Department of Defense published plans about ongoing PFAS cleanups, with priority to address private drinking water wells with the highest levels of PFAS from military activities. Exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to certain types of cancer, including prostate, kidney and testicular. It could also decrease fertility, cause developmental effects in children and weaken the immune system. The Navy tested homes located near Northwest Annex in 2019, and no homes met the levels established at that time that called for remediation, according to the Environmental Restoration Program. But now armed with new standards, the Navy is again testing homes within a mile-stretch along the Northwest River and near the Virginia state line, including those already tested in 2019. Using new levels, the Navy has already determined one home tested in 2019 reached a level that calls for an 'enduring solution.' The Navy has offered similar testing for residents near St. Juliens Creek Annex in Chesapeake. Appointments can be made and eligibility can be determined by calling 833-692-6639. More information can be found here. Preliminary sample results are expected within 30 days of collection. The Navy will follow up with property owners and address next steps if needed, which could involve an 'enduring solution' like the installation of a drinking water treatment system if levels are detected above 70 parts per trillion. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133,
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
What the EPA's partial rollback of the ‘forever chemical' drinking water rule means
Now, we know the EPA plans to rescind limits for certain PFAS and lengthen deadlines for two of the most common types. Here are some of the essential things to know about PFAS chemicals and what the EPA decided to do: Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Please explain what PFAS are to me Advertisement PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that have been around for decades and have now spread into the nation's air, water and soil. They were manufactured by companies such as 3M, Chemours and others because they were incredibly useful. They helped eggs slide across nonstick frying pans, ensured that firefighting foam suffocates flames and helped clothes withstand the rain and keep people dry. The chemicals resist breaking down, however, which means they stay around in the environment. And why are they bad for humans? Environmental activists say that PFAS manufacturers knew about the health harms of PFAS long before they were made public. The same attributes that make the chemicals so valuable – resistance to breakdown – make them hazardous to people. Advertisement PFAS accumulates in the body, which is why the Biden administration set limits for two common types, often called PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion that are phased out of manufacturing but still present in the environment. Vials containing samples of forever chemicals, known as PFAS, sit in a tray, in April 2024. Joshua A. Bickel/Associated Press There is a wide range of health harms now associated with exposure to certain PFAS. Cases of kidney disease, low-birth weight and high cholesterol in addition to certain cancers can be prevented by removing PFAS from water, according to the EPA. The guidance on PFOA and PFOS has changed dramatically in recent years as scientific understanding has advanced. The EPA in 2016, for example, said the combined amount of the two substances should not exceed 70 parts per trillion. The Biden administration later said no amount is safe. There is nuance in what the EPA did The EPA plans to scrap limits on three types of PFAS, some of which are less well known. They include GenX substances commonly found in North Carolina as well as substances called PFHxS and PFNA. There is also a limit on a mixture of PFAS, which the agency is also planning to rescind. It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for these types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration's limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. For the two commonly found types, PFOA and PFOS, the EPA will keep the current limits in place but give utilities two more years — until 2031 — to meet them. Announcement is met with mixed reaction Some environmental groups argue that the EPA can't legally weaken the regulations. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. Advertisement 'The law is very clear that the EPA can't repeal or weaken the drinking water standard,' said Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council. Environmental activists have generally slammed the EPA for not keeping the Biden-era rules in place, saying it will worsen public health. Industry had mixed reactions. The American Chemistry Council questioned the Biden administration's underlying science that supported the tight rules and said the Trump administration had considered the concerns about cost and the underlying science. 'However, EPA's actions only partially address this issue, and more is needed to prevent significant impacts on local communities and other unintended consequences,' the industry group said. Leaders of two major utility industry groups, the American Water Works Association and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, said they supported the EPA's decision to rescind a novel approach to limit a mix of chemicals. But they also said the changes do not substantially reduce the cost of the PFAS rule. Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith. They did, however, get an extension. 'This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand,' said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm.
CNN
14-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on so-called forever chemicals in drinking water
Federal agencies Water availability Age & GenerationsFacebookTweetLink Follow The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to weaken limits on some 'forever chemicals' in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones. The Biden administration set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. Those limits on PFAS, which are human-made and don't easily break down in nature, were expected to reduce their levels for millions of people. Limits on three types of PFAS, including what are known as GenX substances found in North Carolina, will be scrapped and reconsidered by the agency, as will a limit on a mixture of several types of PFAS. The Biden administration's rule also set standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected. The EPA will keep those standards, but give utilities two extra years — until 2031 — to comply. 'We are on a path to uphold the agency's nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water. At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance,' said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. The development was first reported by The Washington Post. It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for certain, newer types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration's limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. Health advocates praised Biden's administration for the limits. But water utilities complained, saying treatment systems are expensive and that customers will end up paying more. The utilities sued the EPA. The EPA's actions align with some arguments in the utilities' lawsuit. They argued the EPA lacked authority to regulate a mixture of PFAS and said the agency didn't properly support limits on several newer types of PFAS that the EPA now plans to rescind. They also sought the two-year extension. Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council, said the move is illegal. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. 'With a stroke of the pen, EPA is making a mockery of the Trump administration's promise to deliver clean water for Americans,' Olson said. President Donald Trump has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks. The EPA plans to loosen regulations for greenhouse gas emissions, cleanup standards for coal plant waste and car emission limits, among many other clean air and water rules. Zeldin's history with PFAS is more nuanced; during his time as a New York congressman, he supported legislation to regulate forever chemicals. Manufactured by companies like Chemours and 3M, PFAS were incredibly useful in many applications -– among them, helping clothes to withstand rain and ensuring that firefighting foam snuffed out flames. But the chemicals also accumulate in the body. As science advanced in recent years, evidence of harm at far lower levels became clearer. The Biden-era EPA estimated the rule will cost about $1.5 billion to implement each year. Water utility associations say the costs, combined with recent mandates to replace lead pipes, will raise residents' bills and fall hardest on small communities with few resources. The Biden administration did work to address cost concerns. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $9 billion for chemicals like PFAS, utilities have won multibillion-dollar settlements against PFAS polluters. Some utilities have been surprised to find out they are over limits. And small water providers might struggle with compliance costs and expertise. 'This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand,' said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm. Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith. He suspects the utility industry will continue to sue over those limits. Environmental groups will likely file challenges, too. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, said utilities may not have to install treatment that's as broadly effective if they just have to focus on two types of older PFAS. 'You really reduce what utilities have to do to make sure that the other, newer generation PFAS are captured' she said. When the Biden administration announced its rule, the head of the EPA traveled to North Carolina and was introduced by activist Emily Donovan, who said she was grateful for the first federal standards. She had long campaigned for tougher rules for GenX substances that had contaminated a local river. Now the EPA says it will roll back those GenX limits. 'This current administration promised voters it would 'Make America Healthy Again' but rescinding part of the PFAS drinking water standards does no such thing,' she said.
CNN
14-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on so-called forever chemicals in drinking water
Federal agencies Water availability Age & GenerationsFacebookTweetLink Follow The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to weaken limits on some 'forever chemicals' in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones. The Biden administration set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. Those limits on PFAS, which are human-made and don't easily break down in nature, were expected to reduce their levels for millions of people. Limits on three types of PFAS, including what are known as GenX substances found in North Carolina, will be scrapped and reconsidered by the agency, as will a limit on a mixture of several types of PFAS. The Biden administration's rule also set standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected. The EPA will keep those standards, but give utilities two extra years — until 2031 — to comply. 'We are on a path to uphold the agency's nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water. At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance,' said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. The development was first reported by The Washington Post. It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for certain, newer types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration's limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. Health advocates praised Biden's administration for the limits. But water utilities complained, saying treatment systems are expensive and that customers will end up paying more. The utilities sued the EPA. The EPA's actions align with some arguments in the utilities' lawsuit. They argued the EPA lacked authority to regulate a mixture of PFAS and said the agency didn't properly support limits on several newer types of PFAS that the EPA now plans to rescind. They also sought the two-year extension. Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council, said the move is illegal. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. 'With a stroke of the pen, EPA is making a mockery of the Trump administration's promise to deliver clean water for Americans,' Olson said. President Donald Trump has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks. The EPA plans to loosen regulations for greenhouse gas emissions, cleanup standards for coal plant waste and car emission limits, among many other clean air and water rules. Zeldin's history with PFAS is more nuanced; during his time as a New York congressman, he supported legislation to regulate forever chemicals. Manufactured by companies like Chemours and 3M, PFAS were incredibly useful in many applications -– among them, helping clothes to withstand rain and ensuring that firefighting foam snuffed out flames. But the chemicals also accumulate in the body. As science advanced in recent years, evidence of harm at far lower levels became clearer. The Biden-era EPA estimated the rule will cost about $1.5 billion to implement each year. Water utility associations say the costs, combined with recent mandates to replace lead pipes, will raise residents' bills and fall hardest on small communities with few resources. The Biden administration did work to address cost concerns. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $9 billion for chemicals like PFAS, utilities have won multibillion-dollar settlements against PFAS polluters. Some utilities have been surprised to find out they are over limits. And small water providers might struggle with compliance costs and expertise. 'This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand,' said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm. Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith. He suspects the utility industry will continue to sue over those limits. Environmental groups will likely file challenges, too. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, said utilities may not have to install treatment that's as broadly effective if they just have to focus on two types of older PFAS. 'You really reduce what utilities have to do to make sure that the other, newer generation PFAS are captured' she said. When the Biden administration announced its rule, the head of the EPA traveled to North Carolina and was introduced by activist Emily Donovan, who said she was grateful for the first federal standards. She had long campaigned for tougher rules for GenX substances that had contaminated a local river. Now the EPA says it will roll back those GenX limits. 'This current administration promised voters it would 'Make America Healthy Again' but rescinding part of the PFAS drinking water standards does no such thing,' she said.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on ‘forever chemicals' in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to weaken limits on some 'forever chemicals' in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones. The Biden administration set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. Those limits on PFAS, which are human-made and don't easily break down in nature, were expected to reduce their levels for millions of people. Limits on three types of PFAS, including what are known as GenX substances found in North Carolina, will be scrapped and reconsidered by the agency, as will a limit on a mixture of several types of PFAS. The Biden administration's rule also set standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected. The EPA will keep those standards, but give utilities two extra years — until 2031 — to comply. 'We are on a path to uphold the agency's nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water. At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance,' said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. The development was first reported by The Washington Post. Large scale changes and utility pushback It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for certain, newer types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration's limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. Health advocates praised Biden's administration for the limits. But water utilities complained, saying treatment systems are expensive and that customers will end up paying more. The utilities sued the EPA. The EPA's actions align with some arguments in the utilities' lawsuit. They argued the EPA lacked authority to regulate a mixture of PFAS and said the agency didn't properly support limits on several newer types of PFAS that the EPA now plans to rescind. They also sought the two-year extension. Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council, said the move is illegal. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. 'With a stroke of the pen, EPA is making a mockery of the Trump administration's promise to deliver clean water for Americans,' Olson said. President Donald Trump has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks. The EPA plans to loosen regulations for greenhouse gas emissions, cleanup standards for coal plant waste and car emission limits, among many other clean air and water rules. Zeldin's history with PFAS is more nuanced; during his time as a New York congressman, he supported legislation to regulate forever chemicals. Evidence of harm builds and so does the cost Manufactured by companies like Chemours and 3M, PFAS were incredibly useful in many applications -– among them, helping clothes to withstand rain and ensuring that firefighting foam snuffed out flames. But the chemicals also accumulate in the body. As science advanced in recent years, evidence of harm at far lower levels became clearer. The Biden-era EPA estimated the rule will cost about $1.5 billion to implement each year. Water utility associations say the costs, combined with recent mandates to replace lead pipes, will raise residents' bills and fall hardest on small communities with few resources. The Biden administration did work to address cost concerns. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $9 billion for chemicals like PFAS, utilities have won multibillion-dollar settlements against PFAS polluters. Utilities see partial relief, activists see a backslide Some utilities have been surprised to find out they are over limits. And small water providers might struggle with compliance costs and expertise. 'This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand,' said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm. Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith. He suspects the utility industry will continue to sue over those limits. Environmental groups will likely file challenges, too. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, said utilities may not have to install treatment that's as broadly effective if they just have to focus on two types of older PFAS. 'You really reduce what utilities have to do to make sure that the other, newer generation PFAS are captured' she said. When the Biden administration announced its rule, the head of the EPA traveled to North Carolina and was introduced by activist Emily Donovan, who said she was grateful for the first federal standards. She had long campaigned for tougher rules for GenX substances that had contaminated a local river. Now the EPA says it will roll back those GenX limits. 'This current administration promised voters it would 'Make America Healthy Again' but rescinding part of the PFAS drinking water standards does no such thing,' she said. ___
