(The Hill) \u2013 The Biden administration on Wednesday set the first-ever national limits for toxic and pervasive \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 in drinking water. <\/p>\n
The administration\u2019s action seeks to reduce the amount of chemicals belonging to a class known as PFAS in drinking water. <\/p>\n
These substances, which have been used to make waterproof and nonstick products, have seeped into a significant portion of the nation\u2019s water. They have been linked to increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer, weakened immune systems, developmental delays in children, decreased fertility and high blood pressure in people who are pregnant. <\/p>\n
They have been nicknamed \u201cforever chemicals\u201d because they tend to persist in nature instead of breaking down. <\/p>\n
While some states had previously set their own limits for the amount of PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, that can be in drinking water, there was previously no restriction that applied nationwide.<\/p>\n
The EPA said that its rule will reduce exposure to these substances for about 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses. <\/p>\n