Forever Chemicals Archives

EPA releases lead water pipe survey amid push to improve quality

April 5, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its most accurate count yet on how many lead pipes carry water into homes across the United States. According to an EPA survey released Tuesday, April 4, that number 9.2 million.

Florida has the most lead pipes at 1.16 million. Rounding out the top five states with the most pipes are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The Biden administration has set a goal to remove all of the country’s lead water pipes. If lead from pipes were to get into the water traveling through them, anyone drinking that water could be at risk for brain damage.

According to the EPA, no amount of lead is safe for children. Along with the release of the survey, the EPA announced $6.5 billion to upgrade drinking water infrastructure across the country.

“Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize America’s drinking water systems, support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of removing 100% of lead pipes across our country, and protect communities from PFAS pollution.”

In March, the EPA proposed what would be the first national drinking water standard for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.”

EPA proposes first national drinking water standard for PFAS

March 14, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday proposed what would be the first national drinking water standard for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals that linger in the environment and the human body, where they can cause serious health problems.

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) back in 2007 found PFAS could be found in 98% of the U.S. population. According to a peer-reviewed 2020 study, as many as 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in their tap water.

While there are thousands of PFAS, the proposed EPA water standard rule is focused on regulating six chemicals where the science is clear regarding their impact on human health. Under the proposal, water systems would have to monitor for the chemicals, notify the public about PFAS levels and work to reduce them if levels go above the standard allowed.

“EPA’s proposal to establish a national standard for PFAS in drinking water is informed by the best available science, and would help provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that best protect their communities,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “This action has the potential to prevent tens of thousands of PFAS-related illnesses and marks a major step toward safeguarding all our communities from these dangerous contaminants.”