U.S. drinking water widely contaminated with 'forever chemicals': environment watchdog

[Gert van der Hoek]

JANUARY 22, 2020

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The contamination of U.S. drinking water with man-made “forever chemicals” is far worse than previously estimated with some of the highest levels found in Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans, said a report on Wednesday by an environmental watchdog group.



The chemicals, resistant to breaking down in the environment, are known as perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Some have been linked to cancers, liver damage, low birth weight and other health problems.

The findings here by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) show the group's previous estimate in 2018, based on unpublished U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, that 110 million Americans may be contaminated with PFAS, could be far too low.

“It’s nearly impossible to avoid contaminated drinking water from these chemicals,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist at EWG and co-author of the report.

The chemicals were used in products like Teflon and Scotchguard and in firefighting foam. Some are used in a variety of other products and industrial processes, and their replacements also pose risks.

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[Emily]

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/water-contamination-puts-new-mexico-dairy-farmer-out-of-business/

Water contamination puts New Mexico dairy farmer out of business

New Mexico

Posted: Feb 21, 2019 / 05:47 PM MST / Updated: Feb 25, 2019 / 02:23 PM MST
A New Mexico dairy farmer says he may have to kill thousands of his cows and he’s dumping out tens of thousands of gallons of their milk daily.
He says it’s all a result of the water contamination caused by Cannon Air Force Base and the firefighting foam they used.
For 27 years, Art Schaap has been running Highland Dairy in Clovis. Last year, he found out the milk he was producing here was no good.
“We can’t sell our cows, we can’t sell our milk. So basically we have no income,” he said.
The farm borders Cannon Air Force Base...