Study Finds Measurable Amounts of Contaminants in U.S. Tap Water

NPG
April 27, 2021
NPG Commentary
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Study Finds Measurable Amounts of Contaminants in U.S. Tap Water

How Much is Too Much When It Comes to Forever Chemicals in Our Water?

Do you know what is in your tap water? Since Congress passed the Safe Drinking and Water Act in 1974, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established and enforced safety standards. A joint investigation by Guardian US and Consumer Reports found “widespread contamination with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as ‘forever chemicals’), lead, and arsenic, including a significant number of samples that exceeded levels considered safe by Consumer Reports and other health experts.” PFAS are used to create stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, water repellent clothing, nonstick cookware, and many other products. Health concerns arise when those PFAS “seep into water from factories, landfills, and other sources. And because they do not easily break down in the environment, they’re often called ‘forever chemicals’.”

The nine-month study tested tap water samples from across the country (provided by volunteers). “The samples were tested for PFAS, arsenic, lead, and other contaminants and levels were compared to regulatory and health-based limits to assess the potential health risks for consumers. Concerning levels of PFAS were found in more than one-third of samples tested… Every water sample tested had measurable levels of arsenic.” And, “nearly all samples tested has measurable levels of lead.”

This information is vital because of the significant health risks attributed to these contaminants, as explained in the press release: “Exposure to PFAS has been linked to high cholesterol, some cancers, and learning delays in children. Exposure to arsenic has been linked to lowered IQ in children and cancer. Scientists and the EPA agree that exposure to lead is unsafe at any level. It has been tied to reduced IQ and slowed growth in children, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems.”

An article from Guardian US quoted an EPA representative’s response to the study, noting: “In response to the findings, Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson Andrea Drinkard says that 93% of the population supplied by community water systems gets water that meets ‘all health-based standards all of the time’ and that the agency has set standards for more than 90 contaminants. That includes arsenic and lead but does not include PFAS.”

James E. Rogers, Ph.D., director of food and safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, said: “The research shows that the U.S. continues to face serious challenges to ensure everyone has access to clean drinking water. Far too many Americans are exposed to hazardous levels of PFAS and heavy metals in the drinking water they rely on every day. The technology exists to remove dangerous contaminants from water, but these filtration systems are not being used uniformly in communities across the country.”

Over the years, NPG has discussed the severity of the state of U.S. water. NPG author Christopher J. Daly addressed the grim nature of our water supply, stating: “Without question, the U.S. must find more ways to stretch America’s water supplies through efficiency, conservation, recycling, and better agricultural management. The constant quest to maximize any and all of these is a heartening trend when put up against today’s rapid consumption rate. Yet without a substantial reduction in U.S. population, none of these efforts will succeed in the long term – and we will be confronted with a massive water and food crisis.” As important discussions about PFAS continue, NPG hopes that the alarming reality of our water crisis will reach more of our nation’s citizens and elected officials. Only then can we foster broad public support for national policies which will work to slow, halt, and eventually reverse U.S. population growth – until we reach a much smaller, truly sustainable level.

To read more about population issues, please explore NPG’s Forum paper series, notably:

The Southwest: Ground-Zero for Global Warming, by Kathleene Parker

Dying of Thirst: Population Growth, Climate Change Aggravate Water Shortages, by Leon Kolankiewicz

America’s Groundwater: Are We Doing Enough to Save It?, by Christopher J. Daly

Population Threats to America’s Rivers, Estuaries, and Lakes, by Christopher J. Daly

Support NPG and our mission for a truly sustainable population.