Nearly 100 million Americans are exposed to water contaminated with potentially carcinogenic substances.
A new study found that one-third of the country drinks water full of unregulated (and unknown) contaminants that could have major impacts on their health.
Researchers at the Silent Spring Institute, a nonprofit that studies the effects of the environment on cancer, analyzed data from more than 4,800 water sources and found that 27 percent (supplying 97 million people) had levels detectable levels of at least one of four chemicals.
Several of which have been linked to organ damage, cancer, and hormonal imbalances.
Co-author Laurel Schaider, a scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, said: “We know that there are thousands of other harmful, unregulated chemicals reaching groundwater and surface water, and some of these chemicals may ultimately end up in water supplies. of drinking water.’
The researchers also found that communities with a higher proportion of Hispanic and black residents generally had higher levels of pollutants and were more likely to be closer to major polluters, such as sewage treatment plants, airports, military training sites and industrial areas.
Lead author Aaron Maruzzo, also a scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, added: “Our findings show that the percentage of Hispanic and Black residents in a community is a consistent predictor of worse water quality.”
The federal government only regulates a fraction of the total number of contaminants hiding in the water of millions of Americans. This leaves it up to states to set safety limits, but only in certain areas, meaning many people are unknowingly exposed.
The map compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the number of PFAS detections at a large number of sites across the country between 2016 and 2021.
The team analyzed data from the 4,815 water sources that are part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring program collected between 2013 and 2015.
This program collects data on contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water that do not have standards established under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The program monitors all public water systems, including small ones (serving between 3,300 and 10,000 people) and large ones (serving more than 10,000 people), as well as a set of water systems serving less of 3,300 people.
It was developed to investigate a list of contaminants that are currently unregulated, suspected or expected to be present in public water systems, and those that experts believe should be regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which It currently analyzes and regulates almost 100 contaminants.
The four chemicals tested by Silent Spring included 1,4-dioxane, a solvent classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen. It is found in consumer products such as cosmetics, laundry detergents, and shampoos.
Prolonged exposure may increase the risk of liver and kidney damage and liver tumors.
Second was the group of “permanent chemicals” known as PFAS (perfluoroalkylated and polyfluoroalkylated substances). These nonstick chemicals are widely used in consumer products, from raincoats to cookware.
They have been associated with cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and many other health problems.
The third substance was chlorodifluoromethane (freon-22), an ozone-depleting gas previously used as a refrigerant and in the production of fluoropolymers, such as Teflon.
Researchers at the Silent Spring Institute found detectable levels of at least one of four chemicals in 27 percent of more than 4,800 water sources, affecting 97 million people.
The pollutant is particularly harmful when inhaled and causes confusion, drowsiness, heart palpitations and organ damage.
Finally, they analyzed levels of 1,1-dichloroethane, a solvent used in paints, plastics and pesticides that has been associated with cancer.
Of the sites they tested, 22 percent had detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, six percent had levels of chlorodifluoromethane, 4.7 percent had levels of 1,1-dichloroethane, and four percent contained PFAS. .
Unregulated contaminated water systems were more likely to be found in larger systems (serving more than 10,000 people), urban systems, and systems that use groundwater.
Larger water systems were almost three times more likely to contain potentially harmful contaminants compared to smaller systems.
Additionally, systems with PFAS-producing industries in their areas, such as manufacturing plants, were 10 times more likely to detect PFAS in their water.
Chemicals can remain in the body for years after being ingested and lodge in body tissues. They can then cause inflammation and wreak havoc throughout the body.
For higher levels of pollutants in urban areas and areas with a higher percentage of Hispanics, Dr. Maruzzo said racial disparities cannot be explained by income or other socioeconomic factors.
He said this indicates that systemic issues such as racism and redlining (a discriminatory practice that withholds financial services from people in high-minority neighborhoods, something that contributed to the disproportionate location of industrial facilities in communities of color) may be influencing the results.
The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization focused on environmental contaminants, mapped communities and military sites confirmed to have PFAS contamination.
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The latest research is based on 2023 findings That showed that areas in 18 states with a higher proportion of Hispanic and Black residents had higher levels of PFAS in drinking water.
Another study by Silent Spring researchers also found that Hispanic residents are more likely to be exposed to higher levels of nitrate in drinking water.
Exposure to the chemical can bind to the hemoglobin in red blood cells and reduce their ability to carry oxygen, causing bluish skin, also known as blue baby syndrome, most common in babies younger than six months.
Some studies also suggest a link to cancer, miscarriage in pregnant women, thyroid dysfunction, and heart problems.
Dr. Schaider said, “Ultimately, we must do a better job of protecting source waters and reducing discharges of contaminants into the water bodies that feed our drinking water supplies.”