New legislation in the U.S. House would require the EPA to set enforceable standards for PFAs chemicals in drinking water within the next two years.
Perfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAs, are a family of chemicals that have been found across the state and are linked to a number of health problems including cancer.
U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee introduced the legislation. He said it’s high time for the EPA to have an enforceable standard.
“We know so much more about how prevalent PFAs are that we should have a standard that limits those in drinking water.”
Kildee said two PFAs have a health advisory level but his bill would require an enforceable standard for all members of the PFAs family.
Recent studies have raised concerns about whether the current advisory levels for the chemicals are low enough to protect public health.
Kildee said his bill does not set requirements for how low the standard should be and would not require the EPA to set the standards lower than the current advisory levels.
“We operate on the assumption that science will govern the decisions that the EPA makes. If it doesn’t then obviously we’ll have to take additional steps.”
Kildee said his concern is that if the legislation set specific guidelines for the chemical congress would be required to introduce new legislation every time the science changed.
The legislation has bipartisan support.