Robert Besser
18 Mar 2023, 05:56 GMT+10
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced a proposal for the first-ever national drinking water standard covering six substances, which are cancer-causing chemicals.
The announcement is the first time since 1996 that drinking water standards have been proposed for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The proposal is part of the EPA's strategy to address made-made "forever chemicals" in water, air and food, which is suspected in causing tens of thousands of cases of ill health.
"The EPA's proposal to establish a national standard. in drinking water is informed by the best available science, and would help provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that best protect their communities," said EPA Administrator Michael Regan, as quoted by Reuters.
Under the new standard, public water systems must monitor for six chemicals, inform the public if levels exceed proposed standards in drinking water, and take action to reduce levels of specified chemicals.
These chemicals are used in products ranging from paper to pans to make them stain-resistant, water-repellent and grease-proof. They are also used in industrial processes and discharged into waterways.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden administration has allocated $10 billion to help communities reduce these and other toxic chemicals.
Environmental groups welcomed the new standards, but stressed that retailers and chemical companies are responsible for making a difference.
Meanwhile, West Virginia Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito, who has for years pressed the EPA to address the chemicals, said, "I am looking forward to hearing from those who will be impacted by this announcement, including local water systems and ratepayers across the country, on how we can provide assistance for implementation," according to Reuters.
Get a daily dose of Northern Ireland News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Northern Ireland News.
More InformationLONDON, UK - Shahzad Akbar, a former accountability advisor to former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has claimed that an ...
LONDON, UK: In the latest in a series of related issues facing British banks, on November 24, thousands of HSBC ...
© Provided by Xinhua BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Suspended by steel cables, various vehicle parts including chassis, doors and ...
Sydney [Australia], December 1 (ANI): In a boost to their spin bowling stocks the Sydney Sixers have signed Afghanistan legspinner ...
The ruling of the country's top court will have a ?catastrophic? effect, Amnesty International has warnedThe London-based human rights advocacy ...
Around 72% of UK citizens believe that leaving the EU has had a negative economic impactA majority of Britons now ...
In a report by The New York Times, it has been revealed that Israeli officials had obtained a detailed battle ...
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Kyar Win, spokesperson for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, which launched a surprise offensive last month against ...
While Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has been frantically shuttling around the Middle East trying to stop the Israeli coflict ...
LESBOS, Greece: Greek authorities said a cargo ship sank off the island of Lesbos over the weekend during a storm, ...
COLUMBUS, Ohio: To stop the spread of bird flu, more than 1.3 million chickens will be killed on Ohio's Union ...
In a devastating turn of events, Israel's war on Gaza, sparked by Hamas's unprecedented attacks on October 7, has resulted ...