Biden Administration Announces Strict New Limits on PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water to Reduce Cancer Risks
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The Biden administration finalized the first ever national drinking water limits on toxic PFAS chemicals, requiring utilities to reduce levels to the lowest reliably measured.
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The strict limits aim to reduce PFAS exposure for 100 million people and prevent thousands of illnesses like cancer.
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EPA Administrator Michael Regan called it the agency's most important action ever taken on PFAS, with the goal of making tap water safer.
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Utilities say the treatment systems will be expensive, costing tens of billions, and could fall hardest on small communities.
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The rule limits two common PFAS types to 4 parts per trillion, with other types limited to 10 parts per trillion. Utilities have 2-3 years to comply.