Read the full article by Harshawn Ratanpal (NPR)
“The drinking water in the Maries County town of Vienna is contaminated with high amounts of a chemical called PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. It’s a type of ‘forever chemical’ – man-made compounds known for not naturally breaking down that research has linked to health and environmental risks.
There are thousands of forever chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Many of them are still used today in countless industrial and household products. PFOS, in particular, was a key ingredient in 3M’s Scotchgard fabric protector until it was phased out in the early 2000s.
In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set two federal standards for six types of PFAS in drinking water: one health-informed goal and one practical, enforceable limit.” …