U.S. EPA plans to control water toxins, puts off setting limits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it plans to control a group of toxic chemicals found in Americans’ drinking water but stopped short of setting limits until later this year (Source: “U.S. unveils plan to control some toxins in drinking water, sets no limits,” Reuters, Feb. 14, 2019).

Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Thursday said the agency planned short- and long-term steps to help states exposed to a class of common chemicals called PFAS, used in Teflon and firefighting foam. 

The agency did not give a maximum contaminant level, a legal limit allowed in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act, for PFAS, but said it would start that process by the end of the year.

The chemicals have been used for decades in common products and have contaminated water systems, most recently in areas around army bases in states including Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia where foam containing the chemicals is used in military exercises.