NRDC Analysis: Peer-Reviewed Study Finds EPA Misses PFAS Chemicals Already Present in Drinking Water

By NRDC | April 12, 2023

Read the full article by NRDC

"Nearly half of the PFAS “forever chemicals” present in drinking water samples are not monitored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to a peer-reviewed analysis conducted by NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and community members in 16 states. Furthermore, half the study’s contaminated samples exceeded EPA’s drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals proposed last month. The study predicts that ongoing national monitoring programs will significantly underreport the presence of the toxic chemicals in drinking water.  

“Current methods for testing and responding to PFAS in drinking water are insufficient to protect people from toxic ‘forever chemical’ pollution,” said Anna Reade, Senior Scientist at NRDC. “The dangers of PFAS chemicals continue to be unearthed faster than scientists, policymakers, and producers can manage and it’s time for urgent action. We must manage PFAS as a class and stop its ongoing production.”  

It is estimated there are at least 14,000 PFAS chemicals in existence, of which hundreds are likely in commercial use. By the EPA’s own estimate, a population of 70-94 million people are served by systems impacted by its proposed regulation of just six PFAS chemicals."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Remediation
• Filtration
• ImpactDrinking water
• ImpactDrinking waterPrivate wells
• Affected community
• Health
• AgenciesEPA
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses