Read the full article by Maggie Mullen (Wyoming Public Radio)
“On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency included a category of chemicals known as PFAS in a new draft list of water contaminants.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of more than 4,700 man-made chemicals, and they can be found in household products, like non-stick pans, rain jackets, candy wrappers, and pizza boxes. They’re also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ since they stick around for a very long time—including in the human body. They can also cause health problems.
The EPA is proposing to include PFAS in its list of water contaminants, and that lays the groundwork for potential regulation down the road.
‘This is a really promising move from the federal level,’ said Anna Reade, with the Natural Resources Defense Council. ‘Because before, whether or not you had data on these chemicals on whether they were in your drinking water, depended on local government or state governments taking the charge to actually require testing.'”…