US to limit PFAS 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

By Madeline Halpert | BBC | March 15, 2023

Read the full article by Madeline Halpert (BBC)

"The US government has proposed its first-ever restrictions on six harmful chemicals found in drinking water.

Research has suggested over 200 million Americans likely drink water contaminated with PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to a host of health issues, including cancer.

But up until now, the pollutants have only been regulated by some US states.

The US on Tuesday issued a rule that would require communities to test and treat water for six of the chemicals.

Once implemented, it will "prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses", the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Dubbed "forever chemicals", PFAS persist for years in the environment."