EPA warns of ‘forever chemicals’ found in household items

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that many chemicals in household items and drinking water are more dangerous than previously believed, potentially putting Americans at risk for many chronic diseases.

The agency issued a warning Wednesday about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — also known as “forever chemicals” — stating that they are dangerous at levels thousands of times lower than those noted in previous guidelines.

These chemicals were found in many household items, but have since been phased out by many manufacturers. But authorities fear that its effects will last forever, hence the nickname.

Kidney and liver problems, fertility problems, diabetes, obesity and even cancer are linked to dangerous exposures to these chemicals.

“People at the forefront of PFAS contamination have suffered for a very long time,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.

“This is why the EPA is taking aggressive action as part of a government-wide approach to prevent the release of these chemicals into the environment and protect affected families from this ubiquitous challenge.”

According to the new guidance, the EPA no longer recommends drinking water containing more than 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) of PFOA and 0.02 ppt of PFOS.

Previous guidelines had a recommended maximum amount of 70 ppt, which is a big change from the leading US environmental agency.

While small amounts of chemicals are safe, they can stay in a person’s internal systems for a long time.

Repeated exposure throughout a person’s life can eventually cause several chronic health problems.

Experts have long known that chemicals are found in many household products, but they are allowed as long as they are below acceptable levels.

The EPA now says that the previous acceptable levels were too high and has dropped them significantly.

The chemicals that became popular were produced decades ago because of their ability to repel oil and water in products, CNN reports. They are found in non-stick materials, clothing, rugs, cleaning products, and other common household items.

“Most uses of PFOA and PFOS have been voluntarily discontinued by U.S. manufacturers, although there is a limited number of ongoing uses and these chemicals remain in the environment due to lack of degradation,” the agency said in a note.

In recent years, American manufacturers have made efforts to remove them from food packaging, but many imported goods still use them.

The EPA warns that past changes were not sufficient and, based on currently available technology, they may still not be able to detect traces of hazardous chemicals.

EPA funds local governments to remove harmful chemicals from local materials (archive photo)

“The updated warning levels, based on new science and taking into account lifetime exposure, indicate that some adverse health effects may occur at concentrations of PFOA or PFOS in water near and below zero of the EPA’s current detection capability,” he said. aforementioned. He wrote.

The EPA’s recommendations are not binding and cannot force any other local government agency to comply with its rules.

However, when it comes to guidelines for keeping drinking water clean and regulating production, many will listen to the EPA.

The agency is providing $1 billion to places that plan to adjust their water distribution to prevent the spread of chemicals.

“The EPA also demonstrates its commitment to align policies that strengthen public health protection with infrastructure financing to help communities, particularly disadvantaged communities, provide safe water,” said Radhika Fox, EPA deputy water administrator.

These chemicals are not the only potential permanent damage in American drinking water.

Data released by the EPA earlier this year showed that more than two-thirds of U.S. drinking water contains uranium.