Trump EPA May Stop Regulating 2 Toxic Chemicals In Drinking Water

Acting EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler signed off on a bill that would allow them not to regulate two toxic chemicals found in drinking water. Exposure to both chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, increases one’s risk for various cancers and hypertension, among other illnesses. Both chemicals have been used in products for decades, including military firefighting foam and Teflon.

Congress, including many congressional Republicans, are concerned with the Trump administration’s lax regulating protocols.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) has voiced her concern for the substances potentially going unchecked. “I’m concerned about what he thinks the reasoning is for how we’re going to get to a safer water standard if that’s not the direction they go. I think I need a fuller explanation from him,” she said. On Tuesday, Capito had a telephone call with Wheeler to discuss the issue.

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A chemical management plan detailing the drinking water specifications had been sent to the White House last month for review. It was initially slated to be released this month, but the government shutdown caused its unveiling to be delayed. However, EPA water chief David Ross claimed on Tuesday that the White House had yet to finalize it, adding that “any information that speculates what is included in the plan is premature.”

“The agency is committed to following the Safe Drinking Water Act process for evaluating new drinking water standards, which is just one of the many components of the draft plan that is currently undergoing interagency review,” Ross said in his statement. Nevertheless, he did not refute any of the details found in Politco’s report.

Article by Matt Reisine

A writer for uPolitics with an array of interests.