Vermont is taking action to keep toxic “forever chemicals” out of our drinking water. That’s good news because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seems to have forgotten that its mission is to protect public health and the environment.
“With the EPA’s national PFAS plan falling far short, it’s up to the states to protect us from these toxic chemicals,” said Amy Moses, Vice President and Director of CLF Rhode Island. “The dangerous health effects of these substances have been known for years, and other New England states have committed to solving the problem. Rhode Island needs to protect public health and that starts with ensuring everyone has safe drinking water.”
“Millions of Americans are drinking water laced with one or more of these PFAS chemical compounds at dangerous levels, and EPA’s response is to announce continued dithering while communities are at risk,” said Brad Campbell, President of CLF.
Toxic chemicals threaten Rhode Island’s waters and the health of its residents. CLF is asking state regulators to take aggressive action to protect communities from PFAS contamination.
“PFAS contamination is endangering public health across New England,” said Heather Govern, Director of CLF’s clean water program “The chemicals’ health risks have been known for decades, but current drinking water standards fail to protect us from the threat of serious illness. With the EPA dragging its feet, our state agencies are obligated to set limits that safeguard our drinking water.”
“PFAS contamination is endangering public health across Massachusetts,” said Heather Govern, Director of CLF’s clean water program. “Setting a protective limit is an important first step, as is DEP’s commitment to evaluate every option to protect the public from the entire PFAS class of chemicals. But there are thousands of these dangerous compounds in the environment, and CLF will continue the fight to rid them all from our water.”
“No one should have to worry about drinking toxic chemicals when they turn on their tap,” said Jen Duggan, Vice President and Director of CLF Vermont. “ANR’s decision to regulate five PFAS chemicals is an important first step.”
CLF and our partners are calling on state leaders across New England to step in to protect our drinking water – and our health – from dangerous chemicals.
“This historic agreement ensures that the Pease Development Authority will be playing by the same rules as communities throughout the Seacoast and will comply with the Clean Water Act. The health and safety of our waters is essential to our communities and our economy. No one has a right to pollute them.”
In communities from Houlton, Maine, to Flint, Michigan, the safety of our drinking water can no longer be taken for granted. The newest threat comes from a suite of human-made chemicals collectively known as PFAS – per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances. These dangerous chemicals do not break down over time; they remain in the environment –… Continue reading There are Toxic Chemicals in Our Drinking Water
