Read the full article by Michayla Savitt (Public News Service)
“A new law on the books in New York establishes the most comprehensive drinking-water testing and notification program in the nation for Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), substances known as ‘forever chemicals.’
Rob Hayes, director of clean water for Environmental Advocates NY, said every water utility across the state will have to test for the nearly two dozen toxic chemicals on the state’s first list of emerging contaminants.
He pointed out notifications will be sent to the public if unsafe levels are detected in drinking water.
‘New Yorkers are about to finally find out what’s in their water and if they’re being exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals,’ Hayes explained. ‘We’re going to see testing, hopefully starting this year, and then, there will be regular testing happening for new contaminants every so often after that.’
High exposure to PFAS chemicals has been found to negatively impact human health and the environment. Backers of the new law urged the state Department of Health to set notification levels for low amounts of every emerging contaminant listed.
Clean-water advocacy groups have been pushing for transparency about toxic chemicals for more than four years.”…