7.5 million Californians are drinking water tainted with highly-toxic ‘forever chemicals,’ study finds
- PFAS are highly-toxic chemicals used in making products oil- or water-repellent
- Examples are non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabric
- They nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ because they never break down
- PFAS get into ground water and can buildup in the human body so even trace amounts can raise our risks for cancer, reproductive problems and more
- Environmental Working Group found level above federal limits in California drinking water serving 7.5 million people
Water drunk by 7.5 million Californians is contaminated with PFAs, highly-toxic chemicals that raise cancer risks and never break down in the environment.
The toxins are used to make water- and oil-repellent products, easily migrate into soil and water – then stay there, forever.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises a cap of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) PFAS in drinking water to mitigate risks that they will cause cancer, reproductive problems and immune system dysfunction.
A new Environmental Working Group (EWG) study of water systems in 74 California communities found that at least one sample taken from 40 percent of those systems was over the EPA’s suggested limit – and even that, EWG says, is too high.
A California water treatment plant worker examines a reservoir. Even treatment won’t get rid of PFAS, toxic chemicals found at potentially dangerous levels in water serving 74 California communities, according to a new Environmental Working Group report (file)
The areas with the highest levels of PFAS were the Marine Corps base of Camp Pendleton, near San Diego, and water systems serving Corona, Oroville, Sacramento and Rosemont.
At least one sample from each of these systems had between 400 and 820 ppt, with Camp Pendleton’s sample testing at the highest end of that range.
These days, California is considering establishing its own safety limits for PFAS, at lower levels that the EPA’s advisory – which is not enforceable.
But in 2013, the national agency became concerned about these persistent toxins and ordered nationwide water sampling.
Following that sampling, the EPA advised that water with more than 70 ppt of PFAS might increase health risks.
These man made substances have such strong chemical bonds that they can’t be broken down in nature.
- Three out of 10 people diagnosed with mosquito-borne EEE… Air pollution could be behind the 20% year-on-year rise in…
Scientists aren’t exactly sure how these super-strong chemicals affect human health.
But studies in animals and looking at rates of disease and exposure in humans suggest a fairly robust link between kidney cancer, thyroid disease and other health problems.
They may also disrupt the development of babies whose mothers drink contaminated water while pregnant.
They seem to be quite toxic, even at very low levels, we just don’t know why on a cellular level.
But in recent years, the federal government has spent more on the study of PFAS, and California has taken matters into its own hands
The EWG, too, has continued to worry about PFAS. It has remained critical of the EPA’s advisory, both for allowing levels of the chemicals the group considers too high and for issuing an advisory rather than a hard cap.
So the EWG tested samples taken from the 74 water systems from 2013 continuing up to this year.
It cites other studies that recommend no level about 1 ppt PFAS is safe, and urges the EPA to take a stronger stance to limit the potentially harmful chemicals, even taking a shot at President Trump.
‘Congress is stepping up because President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense have refused to act,’ the report authors wrote.
‘Earlier this year, the Trump administration proposed a PFAS “action plan” too weak and toothless to address the growing contamination crisis.’
Comments 100
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.