Tap water widely contaminated across U.S. -report
U.S. drinking water is contaminated. And the problem is far worse than previously estimated.
That’s according to a report released Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group, which says some of the highest levels of these chemicals - known as ‘forever chemicals’ - were found in Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans.
‘Forever chemicals’ otherwise known as perfluoroalkyl substances - or PFAS for short - have been linked to a number of health issues including cancer, liver damage and low birth weight.
The chemicals are found in Teflon, Scotchguard and in firefighting foam as well as other products.
The report's findings show that previous estimates that 110 million Americans may be contaminated with forever chemicals could be far too low.
Of tap water samples taken from 44 sites across the country - only one location, Meridian, Mississippi, which relies on deep wells, had no detectable PFAS.
The report comes a day after the U.S. Supreme Court let residents of Flint, Michigan pursue a civil rights lawsuit against the city and government officials that accused them of allowing their water to become contaminated with lead in 2014.
Twelve people were killed and 70 sickened by Flint's water crisis.
