Trump wants to weaken protections against forever chemicals in drinking water
1 min read
Summary
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to weaken rules designed to protect citizens from so-called ‘forever chemicals’ which have been linked with cancer and other serious health conditions.
Notably, the EPA plans to exclude various types of these chemicals from drinking water rules, as well as proposing extended compliance deadlines for two most prevalent types that are already in existence and a potential framework for further exemptions in the future.
This move has been slammed by health and environmental advocates, who have warned that it represents a threat to Americans and will cost lives.
There are thousands of different forever chemical compounds, all of which were previously used by companies to produce items like non-stick pans, food packaging and fabric protector.
Estimates suggest that these compounds are present in 45% of US tap water and most Americans’ bloodstreams.