Science Guides Public Health Protection for Drinking Water
By Joel Beauvais
As a country, we’ve come a long way toward providing clean air, water, and land – essential resources that support healthy, productive lives. But we have more work to do to make sure that every American has access to safe drinking water.
That’s why EPA launched a concerted engagement effort with key partners and stakeholders – including state, tribal and local governments, drinking water utilities, and public health, environmental and community stakeholders – to develop and implement a national action plan to address critical drinking water challenges and opportunities.
As always, our work to protect public health and the environment must consistently be built on a foundation of sound science and data. When it comes to drinking water, scientific information helps us identify pollutants of concern – including new or emerging contaminants – assess potential health impacts, and understand the steps needed to address them.
Today, based on the latest science on two chemical contaminants called PFOA and PFOS, EPA released drinking water health advisories to provide the most up-to-date information on the health risks of these chemicals. These advisories will help local water systems and state, tribal and local officials take the appropriate steps to address PFOA and PFOS if needed.
For many years, PFOA and PFOS were widely used in carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, food packaging, and other materials to make them more resistant to water, grease, and stains. PFOA and PFOS were also used for firefighting at airfields and in a number of industrial processes. Between 2000 and 2002, PFOS was voluntarily phased out of production in the U.S. by its primary manufacturer. And EPA asked eight major companies to commit to eliminate their production and use of PFOA by the end of 2015 and they have indicated that they have met their commitments. While there are some limited ongoing uses of these chemicals, in recent years, blood testing data has shown that exposures are declining across the country.
For most people, their source of exposure to PFOA and PFOS has come through food and consumer products. But drinking water can be an additional source of exposure in the small percentage of communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies. This is typically a localized issue associated with a specific facility – for example, in communities where a manufacturing plant or airfield made or used these chemicals.
EPA’s assessment indicates that drinking water with individual or combined concentrations of PFOA and PFOS below 70 parts per trillion is not expected to result in adverse health effects over a lifetime of exposure. These levels reflect a margin of protection, including for the most sensitive populations.
If these chemicals are found in drinking water systems above these levels, system operators should quickly conduct additional sampling to assess the level, scope, and source of contamination. They should also promptly notify consumers and consult with their state drinking water agency to discuss appropriate next steps. Public notification is especially important for pregnant or nursing women because of the impact these chemicals can have on the development of fetuses and breastfed or formula-fed infants. There are a number of options available to water systems to lower concentrations of these chemicals in the drinking water supply.
EPA will continue sharing the latest science and information so that state and local officials can make informed decisions and take actions to protect public health. This is an important part of our broader effort to support states and public water systems as we work together to strengthen the safety of America’s drinking water.
For more information on the health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, visit the webpage.
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May 20, 2016 @ 01:09:49
Thanks For Sharing Science Guides Public Health Protection for Drinking Water
izopnyde
Oct 15, 2016 @ 05:42:30
So where is the reporting of dead and dying wild animals?
izopnyde
Oct 15, 2016 @ 05:55:26
Benzene the major of gasoline isn’t mentioned. WHY? Is it because the “safe level” is 0% in drinking water. You guys have been shilled.
Nicholas Ebat
May 20, 2016 @ 23:41:07
I am interested in getting contact hour certificate.
Dennis Nagel
May 22, 2016 @ 11:18:54
We wouldn’t have a drinking water crisis if we hadn’t allowed fracking. Say hello to the director, I haven’t called her direct line since Feb 2015. I’m sure she remembers the guy who asked her about 95 degree water in the Pacific and her only response was how did you get my number?
آگهی رایگان
May 23, 2016 @ 04:20:31
Thank you for your stories about science guide public health protection for drinking water
Elisabeth
May 24, 2016 @ 08:07:23
With more and more people taking control of there own health and weight by following the lowcarb diet,dieticians will be a thing of the past, unless they keep with the times and give advice that really works, not like the rubbish of the last 40yrs,
Bukunmi Adewumi
May 26, 2016 @ 19:34:34
I believe many people are becoming aware of the health related issues about drinking water which I think should not be over emphasized. However, this is yet another high opener article about public health. Thanks alot.
Bukunmi Adewumi
May 26, 2016 @ 19:36:54
Nice post and a eye opener post about public health. Although, many are already aware of the benefits and hazards of drinking water anyhow especially.
Edward Thompson
May 27, 2016 @ 10:07:23
*Re.: Dennis Nagel’s comment
I totally agree with the above. Fracking is such a destructive way of accessing resources yet it is rapidly becoming a global issue. Safe drinking water should be tantamount to a human right. It’s about time affected local communities stood up to this and, with the help of expert opinion, seek recompense for the damage done to their environment and, ultimately, their health.
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May 28, 2016 @ 03:50:31
Thanks for your informative article.
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May 29, 2016 @ 06:03:04
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May 30, 2016 @ 04:40:05
Drinking water for protection science guide is very important .Thank you for your article post
Huse
May 31, 2016 @ 20:50:59
Joel Beauvais is a very smart man! Very nice article! Respect!
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Jun 06, 2016 @ 00:55:18
You got a really useful blog I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and your success is very much an inspiration for me.
uçak bileti
Jun 06, 2016 @ 13:19:14
thank you
Ghanika vaze
Jun 06, 2016 @ 08:19:20
Nice post by Joel Beauvois. Nice work is done by EPA group.Lots of thanks for thinking about public’s drinking water facilities.Your approach is beneficial for those who are facing critical drinkinghttp://bhoothnike.com/video.php?b=s4cjE71pIDw water in American cities and states.Keep it up this information sharing.
Ghanika vaze
Jun 06, 2016 @ 08:23:44
Nice report on drinking water facility in America.This work is beneficial for public and society as well.Drinking water must be clean and healthy for drinking ,this report is nicely designed by Mr. joel Beauvais https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2016/05/protection-for-drinking-water/#comments
uçak bileti
Jun 06, 2016 @ 13:17:55
thank you great report.
Dave Emerson
Jun 11, 2016 @ 20:07:53
Flint, MI.
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Jun 13, 2016 @ 07:29:38
Wow Such a great article. The author writing skills is awesome.
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Jun 16, 2016 @ 01:24:59
Very nice report..Thank you for sharing!!
nandu41
Jun 16, 2016 @ 01:31:49
Great post,It is informative..Thank you!!
Nick
Jun 20, 2016 @ 15:45:33
very useful Article
Dr Johnson
Sep 09, 2016 @ 22:52:59
Thanks for sharing Joel. Its important to protect drinking water, otherwise it will get contaminated.
Geoff Daly
Sep 22, 2016 @ 17:34:23
Joel,
Nice written report, except the following: “EPA’s assessment indicates that drinking water with individual or combined concentrations of PFOA and PFOS below 70 parts per trillion is not expected to result in adverse health effects over a lifetime of exposure. These levels reflect a margin of protection, including for the most sensitive populations.”
What you fail to point out this number 70 PPT is the Total LIFETIME [from the EPA] exposure for PFOA/PFOS and 1,4 Dioxane which are all Bio-Accumulative, thus the amount taken in every-time you consume any waters contaminated with these persistent PFC’s can and will increase. You therefore do increase the Bio-Accumulation count over time. The youngest are at the greatest risk over there lifetime exposures.
We have now found some folks here in NH whose blood tests show highly elevated counts of PFOA/PFOS and 1,4 Dioxanes and other heavy metals. With wells measuring as high as 525 PPT and an increase in Thyroid and testicular cancers over these last five years.
There is technology to take care of this problem and it is not using GAC as the NJ DWQI has recently discovered, yes removes some (about 35% to 50% dependent on the GAC quality). They have done work on Natural Ion Exchange materials, which have been around and used for more than 80 + years and lock any contaminants in and is now a proven clean-up filtration media. Unlike GAC which bio-degrades in land fills and re-releases the capture contaminants back into the ground [Household water filters need changing even 2-3 months- end up in land fills!
So the 70 PPT is a LIFETIME Exposure in any water system and PFOA/PFOS and 1,4 Dioxane are all Bio-accumulative in the body.
July Bower
Oct 05, 2016 @ 19:22:01
The care of the water is really an important issue, it is our most precious asset.
Lesly
Oct 06, 2016 @ 08:17:26
Yes, people really do not yet understand the importance of water and how much it is worth, it is sad .
Jane
Dec 03, 2016 @ 05:52:41
This is awesome! I really hope that one day, all the water will be clean and safe to drink. Cheers to a healthy life. Thanks Joel for this wonderful article.