Recent tests conducted by the US Geological Survey and state environmental agencies in New Mexico have discovered cancer-causing “forever chemicals” in water sources.
According to the data provided by the federal agency on Wednesday (Apr 10), PFAs, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, were found in key rivers throughout the state. However, the largest quantities were detected downstream in urban areas.
USGS began investigating water in New Mexico after the discovery of contamination at military installations
Experts from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) began investigating water in New Mexico after the discovery of contamination at military installations.
They discovered a ten-fold higher concentration of PFAs in the Rio Grande as it passes through Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, compared to upstream places.
From August 2020 to October 2021, researchers collected dozens of samples from groundwater wells and surface water sites as part of an initial statewide survey. However, officials stated that the bulk of well samples tested negative for PFAs.
According to Andy Jochems of the Environment Department’s water protection division, the most recent discoveries on forever chemicals and contamination will assist regulators in making future judgments regarding preserving drinking water supplies.
The change in concentrations could be attributed to wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff
Officials indicated on Wednesday that they don’t expect the new legislation to demand much more than ongoing tracking and reporting. This is because the utility that serves Albuquerque has not observed PFAS quantities in the drinking water system approaching EPA limits.
According to Kimberly Beisner, a USGS hydrologist and lead author of the study, the change in concentrations could be attributed to wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff.
According to utility spokesperson David Morris, improvements in the city’s sewage treatment plant may be required at some point in the future.
US Environmental Protection Agency announced its first-ever drinking water standard
This comes as the US Environmental Protection Agency announced its first-ever drinking water standard on Wednesday to safeguard people against hazardous “forever chemicals” prevalent in numerous household and everyday objects.
In its first major step toward reducing cancer-causing contaminants, the FDA gave $1 billion to states for public water system testing.
The final rule is projected to impact between six and ten percent of the 66,000 public drinking water systems in the United States. Furthermore, it will result in a significant reduction in exposure to the group of 15,000 chemicals known as PFAS for nearly 100 million people. It would help prevent tens of thousands of deaths connected to PFAS, according to the EPA, as reported by Reuters.
