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    3 answers on the EPA plan to fight ‘forever chemicals’ in water

    The EPA has imposed its first regulations limiting chemicals called PFAS, or forever chemicals, in drinking water. An expert fills you in.
    by Johns Hopkins University Apr 22, 2024 1 minute
    A little girl wearing a superhero costume fills a plastic cup with water from a kitchen tap.

    The US Environmental Protection Agency has imposed the first-ever regulations limiting chemicals known as PFAS, or forever chemicals, in drinking water.

    Long-term, low-dose exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals, can hinder the immune system, interfere with hormones, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. It can also cause low birth weight and high cholesterol. High doses of PFAS increase the risk of kidney cancer, liver damage, testicular cancer, and thyroid disease.

    On April 10, the EPA passed historic regulations on six PFAS compounds in drinking water based on their potential to cause kidney and liver cancer.

    Carsten Prasse is an assistant professor of environmental health and engineering whose research focuses on the occurrence and fate of organic contaminants in the urban water cycle and their impact on environmental and human health.

    Here, Prasse explains what you need to know about PFAS and the EPA’s plan:

    The post 3 answers on the EPA plan to fight ‘forever chemicals’ in water appeared first on Futurity.

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