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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea

UK ministers under pressure to tighten laws on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

United Kingdom United States EPA Joe Biden Michael S Regan Environment Green Party
In England and Wales, the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s guidelines allow levels of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water 25 times higher than the US limit.
In England and Wales, the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s guidelines allow levels of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water 25 times higher than the US limit. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

Pressure is building on UK ministers to tighten regulations on PFAS “forever chemicals” as research shows vast numbers of people are drinking water with levels that would be banned in the US.

On Tuesday, US president Joe Biden announced plans to drive down acceptable limits in drinking water to four nanograms per litre (4ng/l) for two types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFOS and PFOA), and announced proposals to regulate four more – PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX Chemicals – as a mixture.

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