Dear Friend, We need your help to advocate for more protective drinking water standards in Pennsylvania. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing rules for harmful compounds known as ‘forever chemicals’ -per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - found in Pennsylvania drinking water. PFAS are a group of toxic man-made chemicals broadly used in industry that are known to pose health risks in humans. They do not easily degrade in the environment and accumulate in soil, groundwater, drinking water, food products, and in humans. PFAS can lead to adverse health impacts, including cancer and hormone disruption. In Pennsylvania, sampling by the DEP suggests that hundreds of public drinking water sources contain PFAS compounds in concentrations that are harmful to human health. Regulating PFAS is an urgent public health and environmental threat facing communities across the United States. A committee of experts engaged by the DEP identified several PFAS compounds as harmful to human health. However, the proposed bill suggests limits for only two PFAS substances despite the fact that the Pennsylvania water samples show the presence of other harmful PFAS compounds. Urge DEP to propose standards for additional harmful forever chemicals. The DEP is accepting public comments until 11:59pm on April 27 2022. Thank you for taking this important action! | |
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.
Executive Director and Chief Counsel | |
