Read the full article by Kalen Goodluck (High Country News)
“Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS — dubbed “forever chemicals” for their toxic longevity — are found in countless items, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foam and even popcorn bags. They’re also linked to cancer. But because they’re not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s up to states to track and monitor them — and Western states are lagging. Water contamination has been confirmed in at least 10 Western states, yet only Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington regulate the chemicals (“See where PFAS pollution has been confirmed in the American West,” 5/20/19).
FOLLOWUP According to E&E Daily, a Senate panel urged the U.S. Air Force to find an alternative to its firefighting foam, which contains PFAS. Air bases have also been asked to work with nearby communities affected by contamination, such as Clovis, New Mexico, whose drinking water supply has been tainted by Cannon Air Force Base…”