Robert Besser
18 Mar 2023, 05:56 GMT+10
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced a proposal for the first-ever national drinking water standard covering six substances, which are cancer-causing chemicals.
The announcement is the first time since 1996 that drinking water standards have been proposed for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The proposal is part of the EPA's strategy to address made-made "forever chemicals" in water, air and food, which is suspected in causing tens of thousands of cases of ill health.
"The EPA's proposal to establish a national standard. 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," said EPA Administrator Michael Regan, as quoted by Reuters.
Under the new standard, public water systems must monitor for six chemicals, inform the public if levels exceed proposed standards in drinking water, and take action to reduce levels of specified chemicals.
These chemicals are used in products ranging from paper to pans to make them stain-resistant, water-repellent and grease-proof. They are also used in industrial processes and discharged into waterways.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden administration has allocated $10 billion to help communities reduce these and other toxic chemicals.
Environmental groups welcomed the new standards, but stressed that retailers and chemical companies are responsible for making a difference.
Meanwhile, West Virginia Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito, who has for years pressed the EPA to address the chemicals, said, "I am looking forward to hearing from those who will be impacted by this announcement, including local water systems and ratepayers across the country, on how we can provide assistance for implementation," according to Reuters.
Get a daily dose of Poland Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Poland Sun.
More InformationDUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's national weather service, Met Eireann, has warned that 'snow is possible' for Ireland in the upcoming days, ...
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands: As European carmakers aim to produce more cost-effective batteries and more affordable electric vehicles (EV), Stellantis and ...
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov accused Washington of supporting a change of leadership in the countryThe US is increasingly focused ...
Russophobia, racism and other forms of neo-Nazism have become the official ideology of Western elites, the president has claimedThe official ...
Coup leaders have claimed that the relevant legislation was passed without considering its negative consequencesNiger's military government announced on Monday ...
London [UK], November 28 (ANI): One of Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787s on Tuesday took off for the world's first 100 ...
LIVINGSTON, Kentucky: This week, railroad operator CSX said a train derailment involving 16 cars, two of which spilled molten sulfur ...
Fifty-seven journalists have been killed as of Saturday as a result of Israel's war on Gaza, which has extended to ...
TEL AVIV, Israel - Following Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's statement on Emily Hand's release, Israel's foreign minister says he summoned the ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The White House says U.S. authorities have foiled a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the U.S., ...
BANGKOK, Thailand: In response to heightened Chinese activity in the South China Sea, the United States and the Philippines have ...
BEIRUT, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement on Saturday that ...