[CPEO-MEF] PFCs: "Toxic Chemical Linked to Firefighting Foam Found in Bay Area Water"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[This is a current, easy-to-follow description of the firefighting foam problem. - LS]

Toxic Chemical Linked to Firefighting Foam Found in Bay Area Water
The government is testing the nation’s drinking water for potentially harmful contaminants that have been described as virtually indestructible.

By  Liz Wagner and  David Paredes
NBC Bay Area (CA)
May 17, 2016

Nearly 30 public water systems in California, including one in the East Bay, have found chemicals in drinking water that have been linked to toxic firefighting foam. The detections came to light after a federal requirement forced large public water systems to test drinking water for perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs.

While the Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate the chemicals in drinking water, the agency classified them as “emerging contaminants” that require ongoing monitoring. EPA officials have spent considerable time in recent years trying to better understand PFCs, but some critics argue the agency has not moved quickly enough to set appropriate health provisions.

The compounds were historically used in the making of Teflon, Scotchgard and hundreds of other household products. Because the chemicals are resistant to heat, water and oil, PFCs were also used to make foam firefighters spray on airplanes during crash landings.

…

For the entire article, see
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/Toxic-Chemical-Linked-to-Firefighting-Foam-Found-in-Bay-Area-Water-379894891.html

See also http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/EPA-Sets-New-Health-Advisory-for-Toxic-Chemicals-in-Drinking-Water--380175381.html

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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