Drinking water in the United States contains harmful substances

The Geological Survey reveals the alarming prevalence of chemicals in drinking water supply systems

The drinking water that reaches millions of homes contains persistent chemicals associated with significant health risks. A study of United States Geological Survey (USGS) reveals the presence of per- and polyfluorinated compounds, known as PFAS, at highly worrying levels both in systems public water sources and private wells throughout the country. What is alarming about these findings is that, despite the known health dangers they imply, there are still no effective federal policies that regulate their presence in the water supply.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), proposed in the first days of March to establish the first federal limits for six types of PFAS, highlighting the seriousness of the problem. However, it is anticipated that the final decision on these regulations will be made later this year. Scott Faber, of the Environmental Working Group, fiercely criticizes the lack of preventive actions to control the source of these contaminants.

Also read:

Hole in Antarctica puzzle solved

The US government has begun to recognize the threat PFAS pose to public health, regulatory action has been slow. In this context, the USGS report could be a crucial resource to evaluate exposure risks and take preventive measures at the individual and community levels. The ultimate solution will require a collaborative approach involving both regulatory authorities and the industries responsible for the original pollution.

PFAS are chemicals that can take years to be eliminated from the human body and do not degrade in the environment, posing significant challenges for their treatment and disposal. «The presence of chemicals is widespread»alert Kelly Smalling research hydrologist and lead author of the report, points out that the appearance of these compounds occurs in everyday products such as non-stick pans and food packaging, which underlines the complexity of dealing with their contamination.

The USGS explains on its website that PFAS, substances that constitute a large and varied group of chemicals used in various commercial applications thanks to their unique characteristics, such as their resistance to extreme temperatures, their durability and non-stick properties. These compounds have been manufactured and used since the 1940s.