U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand applauded the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday for proposing new limits, known as maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), on per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) to improve drinking water across the United States. The proposed limits reflect those called for in Senator Gillibrand’s Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act, which would require EPA to establish a national standard for PFAS in drinking water, as well as MCLs for certain PFAS chemicals.
EPA’s proposal follows the guidance laid out in Senator Gillibrand’s bill, as the standard targets six common PFAS chemicals found in our nation’s drinking water supply. MCLs are enforceable water quality standards and represent the maximum amount of a contaminant allowed in drinking water.
“PFAS chemicals seeping into our drinking water is a widespread crisis that is putting the health of millions of Americans at risk. Today, I’m proud that EPA has heeded my call and is taking critical steps to set enforceable limits on toxic, cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in our water. My groundbreaking bill, the Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act, helped lay the groundwork for EPA to propose these unprecedented new limits and provided direction for the new national standard. Clean water is an essential right that all Americans deserve, and I look forward to working with EPA to continue protecting the public from these harmful chemicals.” – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
This bill was co-led by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
The full bill can be found below:
