Wednesday Top of the Scroll: Water nationwide will exceed new ‘forever chemicals’ limits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today unveiled the first nationwide limits on dangerous “forever chemicals” in drinking water, setting standards that will have sweeping, costly effects throughout California. Several thousand water systems around the country are expected to exceed the new limits for the chemicals, which have been linked to an array of diseases — including cancer and heart disease — and have contaminated people and animals worldwide, including newborns. In California alone, traces of the compounds have been detected in water systems serving more than 25 million people, nearly a third in disadvantaged communities, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Related articles:
- Los Angeles Times: Federal EPA limits toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
- The Colorado Sun: EPA sets tough “forever chemicals” standard for first time and hands Colorado $41 million to fix water
- The Washington Post: In a first, EPA sets limit for ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
- The New York Times: Six things to know about ‘forever chemicals’
- CBS News: Study maps “forever chemical” water contamination hotspots worldwide, including many in U.S.