The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that it is making some major changes to the national drinking water standards set by the Biden administration. Last year, the agency has completed the standard, which aims to regulate the presence of “every chemicals” in drinking water nationwide called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). There are thousands of different types of PFAs, but the rules are specially set up for five: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHXS and HFPO-DA. Now, the agency revealed that it will only retain national restrictions in the BIDER era of PFOA and PFO.
Exposure to eternal chemicals is associated with a variety of health problems, including cancer, liver damage and asthma. According to rules set by the U.S. government last year, the highest levels of PFOA and PFO in drinking water should be only $1 trillion. The maximum limit for PFNA, PFHXS and HFPO-DA (also known as GenX chemicals) is USD per trillion. However, the agency is revoking regulations on the three most recent chemical substances. To be fair, PFOA and PFO are the two most common types of PFA. The agency said it “is aimed at reducing the burden on drinking water systems and water bills” while still “continue to protect public health.”
In addition to lifting three of the five eternal chemicals, the EPA intends to extend the compliance deadline for water utilities from 2029 to 2031 to give them more time to develop a plan that will allow them to meet standards. EPA administrator Zeldin said the extension “will support water systems across the country, including small systems in rural communities in efforts to address these pollutants.”
