A recent update from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that drinking water systems across the United States contain 324 contaminants. The analysis, covering data from 2021 to 2023, highlights the presence of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and radioactive substances in nearly all community water systems.
The EWG’s Tap Water Database provides consumers with information about water contaminants, health risks, and steps to reduce exposure through filtration. The contaminants identified include toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, which affect over 143 million people, as well as volatile organic compounds, nitrate, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium. Despite the presence of these pollutants, many fall below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) legal limits but exceed EWG’s health-based standards.
Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at EWG, noted that the EPA limits are outdated and emphasized the need for stronger drinking water protections.
“This is a wake-up call,” Stoiber said in a statement. “For over 30 years, EWG has been at the forefront of advocating for stronger drinking water protections. Outdated federal regulations continue to leave millions of people at risk of exposure to harmful substances.
The EWG’s update also highlights the introduction of new EPA standards in 2024, setting health-protective maximum contaminant limits for six PFAS. However, Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at EWG, noted that while these standards are a step forward, more comprehensive regulations are needed to ensure safe drinking water for all Americans.
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