Read the full article by Christian Thorsberg (Circle of Blue).
“Illinois lawmakers last week passed a new law establishing more robust requirements for monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — better known as PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ — in wastewater discharges at major facilities across the state.
The deciding 64-34 House vote came just days after the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rescinding limits for select toxic PFAS compounds in drinking water — a decision that environmental advocates, and the Illinois EPA, immediately rebuffed.
‘Regardless of the federal government’s actions, our commitment to address PFAS pollution and protect our drinking water resources remains,’ Illinois EPA director James Jennings said in a statement.
The improper disposal of PFAS-contaminated waste is a frequent cause of seepage into aquifers and surface waters, which can lead to adverse impacts on human health. Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS is linked to increased cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure, developmental delays in children, and greater risks of kidney, liver, and testicular cancers.”…