What's happened
The US EPA and Biden administration have implemented new rules to limit 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, aiming to reduce exposure and prevent health issues.
Why it matters
The actions taken by the EPA and the Biden administration are crucial in safeguarding public health by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in drinking water, potentially preventing illnesses and improving overall well-being.
What the papers say
The EPA's new rules have been praised for their potential to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, while water utilities have expressed concerns about the costs associated with implementing treatment systems.
How we got here
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals linked to serious health issues that have contaminated drinking water sources across the US. The EPA and the Biden administration have taken steps to address this issue and protect public health.
Common question
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds that have multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain. As such, they contain at least one perfluoroalkyl moiety, –CₙF₂ₙ–.
According to OECD, there are at
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The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate