EPA's Limits on 'Forever Chemicals' Fall Short

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed its first-ever rule to reduce the prevalence of PFAS chemicals in drinking water, regulating two of the oldest chemicals in this category as well as a mixture of four other chemicals. Long-term exposure to certain types of PFAS have been linked to serious illnesses, including cancer, liver damage and high cholesterol. The proposed EPA rule will limit PFOA and PFOS at a maximum level of four parts per trillion, and any water system that identifies levels above that would need to notify residents and take actions to get levels down. The American Chemistry Council supports drinking water limits on PFOS and PFOA but disagrees with the science EPA used to decide on the maximum limits.