The US government is limiting “forever chemicals” in tap water

The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday announced the first national drinking water standard aimed at limiting the amount of “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, in tap water across the country. Apparently, unlike Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, it doesn’t want that s*** forever, man (ever man, ever man).

First things first: PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are a group of ~15,000 man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s to waterproof and stainproof a variety of goods. The compounds have strong molecular bonds which don't break down for centuries – hence the name "forever chemicals."

• PFAS compounds are also dangerous to humans. Long-term exposure is linked to a range of serious illnesses like cancer, liver damage, and heart disease, as well as developmental damage to children.
• And, much like lead poisoning, PFAS accumulates in the human body with each exposure and builds up over months and years, eventually leading to health effects in some individuals.

The EPA’s new rules target the presence of certain PFAS in drinking water. Over the next five years, local governments across the US will be required to test their systems for six types of harmful PFAS compounds, then install water treatment technologies if their levels are too high.

• According to the EPA, excess PFAS levels will likely be discovered in 6%-10% of all US water systems, covering a combined 100 million Americans.
• The agency says implementation of its new PFAS standard will prevent tens of thousands of deaths and serious illnesses over the next several decades.

👀 Looking ahead… Utility groups have vowed to challenge the EPA’s new rules in court, arguing that the $1.5 billion/year cost is prohibitive and will fall hardest on small communities with fewer resources.