EPA Is Underestimating 'Forever Chemicals' in US Water Supply, Report Suggests
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:30s - Published
EPA Is Underestimating 'Forever Chemicals' in US Water Supply, Report Suggests
EPA Is Underestimating
'Forever Chemicals' , in US Water Supply, , Report Suggests.
'The Guardian' conducted an analysis of
nine water samples from locations across the U.S.
The analysis suggests that the limited nature of water tests conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)... .
... could mean that many "forever chemicals" in multiple U.S. water supplies are simply missed.
The EPA is doing the bare minimum it can and thatās putting peopleās health at risk, Kyla Bennett, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, via āThe Guardianā.
"Forever chemicals" refer to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that do not break down completely and can be toxic.
The Biden administration recently acknowledged that PFAS contamination poses āa serious threat across rural, suburban and urban areas.ā.
$10 billion has been set aside to address the threat.
The EPA responded to the report.
[The EPA] continues to conduct research and monitor advances in analytical methodologies ā¦ that may improve our ability to measure more PFAS, EPA Statement, via āThe Guardianā.
Researchers say that part of the issue has to do with the extent of industry regulations over the past several decades.
Industry has had a 70-year head start and weāre never going to catch up, Graham Peaslee, University of Notre Dame Researcher, via āThe Guardianā.
Public health advocates say the report makes it clear that increased testing and research is needed.
Thatās left me with more questions about whatās making up that total and makes me want more testing in my community, Andrea Amico, Public Health Advocate,
via āThe Guardianā
EPA Announces First-Ever Regulations , for PFAS in Drinking Water.
On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is issuing a country-wide regulation to limit the amount of "forever chemicals" in drinking water, CBS News reports.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly found in the air, water and soil.
According to the EPA, there is no amount of exposure to PFAS that is considered safe.
They can be found in everything from
nonstick cookware to cleaning and personal
care products. But there's no doubt that
many of these chemicals can be harmful
to our health and our environment, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, via statement.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reproductive
problems, developmental delays, low birth weight,
immune system issues, high cholesterol, cardiovascular
issues and some cancers, CBS News reports. .
Public water utilities will now be required to
"test for six different types of PFAS chemicals"
in drinking water, CBS News reports.
The agency estimates that the new requirement will lower exposure to
PFAS for about 100 million people. .
Drinking water contaminated with
PFAS has plagued communities
across this country for too long, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, via statement.
$1 billion will be made available to help states
and territories comply with the new standards.
Those funds are part of a $9 billion investment generated by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
President Biden believes that
everyone deserves access to clean,
safe drinking water, and he is
delivering on that promise, Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Takes Aim at, US Chemical Emissions, That Are Likely Carcinogens.
'The Independent' reports that over 200 chemical
plants in the United States will be required
to reduce toxic emissions under a new rule. .
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released the new rule regarding toxic
emissions likely to cause cancer on April 9.
The rule is meant to deliver critical health protections
for communities faced with industrial pollution from
dangerous chemicals, such as chloroprene and ethyl oxide.
The rule will significantly reduce
emissions from the Denka Performance
Elastomer facility in LaPlace, Louisiana.
The facility is the largest producer of
chloroprene emissions in the U.S., according
to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Every community in this country
deserves to breathe clean air.
Thatās why I took the Journey
to Justice tour to communities
like St. John the Baptist Parish,
where residents have borne
the brunt of toxic air for far too long, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
We promised to listen to folks that
are suffering from pollution and act
to protect them. Today we deliver
on that promise with strong final
standards to slash pollution,
reduce cancer risk and ensure
cleaner air for nearby communities, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
According to officials, the changes
are meant to reduce ethylene oxide and
chloroprene emissions in the U.S. by nearly 80%.
'The Independent' reports that the rule updates
several regulations on chemical plant emissions
that have not been altered in nearly 20 years.
The EPA said that the new rule will reduce a total of over
6,200 tons of toxic air pollutants annually in an effort
to address health risks in neighboring communities
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Issues Ambitious, New Rules Aimed at , Cutting Carbon Emissions.
On March 20, the Biden administration
announced new rules regarding
automobile emissions standards.
On March 20, the Biden administration
announced new rules regarding
automobile emissions standards.
NBC reports that officials have called the
new regulations the most ambitious plan to
reduce emissions from passenger vehicles.
NBC reports that officials have called the
new regulations the most ambitious plan to
reduce emissions from passenger vehicles.
The new rules include scaled back
tailpipe limits requested by the
Environmental Protection Agency last April. .
The new rules include scaled back
tailpipe limits requested by the
Environmental Protection Agency last April. .
The new rules come amid slowing
sales of electric vehicles, a critical part
of the plan to meet the new standards.
The new rules come amid slowing
sales of electric vehicles, a critical part
of the plan to meet the new standards.
Last April, the auto industry cited
lower sales growth in its objection
to the EPA's strict standards. .
According to the EPA, the industry
could meet the limits if 56% of new
vehicle sales are electric by 2032.
According to the EPA, the industry
could meet the limits if 56% of new
vehicle sales are electric by 2032.
The EPA plan also called for at least 13% of plug-in
hybrids or other partially-electric cars, in addition
to more efficient gasoline-powered vehicles. .
The EPA's proposed standards would
avoid over 7 billion tons of planet-warming
carbon emissions over the next 30 years. .
The EPA's new rules apply
to model years 2027 to 2032.
The Biden administration's new rules
are set to ramp up to nearly meet
the EPA's limits by 2032.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
The grants will bring solar energy
to over 900,000 households in both
low- and middle-income communities. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
NBC reports that solar power has gained
traction as a clean energy source that could
help reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
49 of the new grants will be awarded at
the state level, six more will serve Native American
tribes and another five are multi-state awards.
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
Officials say that the latest environmental
announcements are part of an effort to energize
young voters ahead of his upcoming reelection campaign.
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Papua New Guinea's prime minister has accused Joe Biden of insulting his country after the US president implied his uncle had been eaten by cannibals on the.. Sky News
![EPA Announces First-Ever Regulations for PFAS in Drinking Water [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240410/1372348080-EPA-Announces-First-Ever-Regulations-for-PFAS-in.jpg)
![EPA Takes Aim at US Chemical Emissions That Are Likely Carcinogens [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240410/1372318424-EPA-Takes-Aim-at-US-Chemical-Emissions-That.jpg)
![EPA Issues Ambitious New Rules Aimed at Cutting Carbon Emissions [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240320/1369843872-EPA-Issues-Ambitious-New-Rules-Aimed-at-Cutting.jpg)
![FTC to Decide Whether Noncompete Agreements Should Be Banned [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240423/1373526476-FTC-to-Decide-Whether-Noncompete-Agreements-Should-Be.jpg)
![Biden says military aid on way to Ukraine right after Senate approval [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240423/1373486632-Biden-says-military-aid-on-way-to-Ukraine.jpg)
![Biden Looks to Energize Young Voters With Earth Day Solar Energy Grants [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240422/1373447144-Biden-Looks-to-Energize-Young-Voters-With-Earth.jpg)
![Biden denounces campus anti-Semitism amid tensions over student protests [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240422/1373418020-Biden-denounces-campus-anti-Semitism-amid-tensions-over.jpg)
