Prozac, antibiotics, health and beauty products, steroids, disinfectants, fire retardants, DEET, caffeine and more are increasingly being found in America's waterways. As we wash these substances off our bodies or eliminate them, they head down the drain to wastewater treatment plants that not only aren't equipped to deal with these kinds of compounds, but have no standards for how much of any of them is acceptable in water. While scientists say that the levels in drinking water are below what could be considered a therapeutic dose of any of these chemicals, not much is known about the potential health effects of long-term, low-level exposure. The Hartford Courant has the rest of the story.
Related News
Continue Reading
What does the EPA’s new hazardous substances designation for two ‘forever chemicals’ mean?
More than 5,000 sites across the U.S. are polluted with the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, creating an urgent national health and environmental crisis. The Biden administration took a...
First-time homeowners, first-time twins: How one mom relied on EWG to babyproof her house
“When we found out we were having twins, my husband was speechless with shock,” said Katherine Armstrong, who gave birth to two girls late last year. “While I was initially surprised too, I was also...
What they’re saying about the EPA’s regulation of ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
Here are excerpts from the statements of environmental, health and community advocacy leaders and organizations about the EPA announcement, which marks historic progress addressing PFAS.
What do the new federal PFAS drinking water standards mean?
More than 5,000 sites across the U.S. are polluted with the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, creating an urgent national health and environmental crisis.