Contaminated water is an American issue that is very real and very present. While reporting may be low, contaminated water levels are high. One of the best ways to decrease and eventually eliminate this issue is by raising awareness within our communities. As it stands, there is too much contamination and not enough reporting. Let’s take a deeper look at America’s tap water and how its contamination may affect all of us.
Collection and Review
While we would hope the number of these contaminants is relatively low to non-existent, it has been proven that American tap water is highly exposed, even if it looks clean. Unfortunately, a recently updated database has shown hundreds of contaminants detected in US tap water. According to a new analysis by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), more than 320 toxic substances have been detected in the drinking systems of the United States since 2019.
The harmful substances that were found can be linked to impaired brain development, cancer, adverse birth and reproduction outcomes, and a revolving door of other deleterious health impacts. Part of the EWG’s 2021 update to their tap water database calls for much more meticulous federal drinking water standards. The studies show that there is an incredibly urgent need to improve water infrastructure in America, as soon as possible.
Researchers at EWG have collected and reviewed results from water contaminant tests from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, conducted by water utility providers and regulators. After thoroughly analyzing the results of more than 50,000 water systems serving millions of American households, alarming water contamination levels were discovered. Some of the pollutants found were pesticides, lead, arsenic, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and radioactive materials.
New Chemicals Added
In comparison to the 2019 tap water database that displayed 268 chemicals found in America’s tap water utilities, the new database shows an additional 56 chemicals. Unfortunately, it proves that this situation is getting worse, not better. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently monitoring the new substances (PFAS or emerging pollutants, such as radioactive material and pesticides). However, these substances are not under any legal limits, preventing the water systems’ ability to tackle the contamination, according to the EWG. As it stands, the EPA regulates more than 80 contaminants found in drinking water, just a fraction of the agency’s inventory of more than 85,000 chemicals listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Let’s take a deeper look:
- PFAS, The Forever Chemical – PFAS are used by manufacturers to make stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and hundreds of other commonly used items. These compounds don’t easily break down, which is how they got their name, “Forever Chemicals”. Forever chemicals can seep into water supplies from factories, landfills, and other sources.
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While the study of the complete health effects of PFAS exposure is ongoing, a study based in Parkersburg, West Virginia consisting of about 69,000 people found a probable link to a few health-related problems: pregnancy-induced hypertension, high cholesterol, testicular and kidney-related cancers, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid disease. Research has also linked some learning delays in children to PFAS.
- Arsenic – Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal, typically sourced from natural minerals found in the ground, factory waste, and agricultural residue. This heavy metal is usually used for several industrial and agricultural processes like pressure-treating lumber and killing insects on cotton and other crops. Arsenic enters water supplies by natural deposits, as well as industrial and agricultural pollution. Studies have shown a link between cancer and lower IQ rates in children.
- Lead – Like arsenic, lead is also a heavy metal found in many products, including water pipes. The federal government has banned new lead service lines which bring water into people’s homes. However, lead can still enter drinking water from the millions of pipes that remain in the ground or that are currently in people’s homes. Lead exposure has been linked to high blood pressure, reproductive health issues, reduced IQ, and slowed growth in children.
Solutions
While there are solutions for people seeking filtered tap water in their homes, consumer advocates do not believe that fixing the problem should be up to consumers alone.
Consumer advocates and experts believe that the following practices are the true solutions:
- Raising education and awareness levels for both consumers and leaders
- Improving irrigation and agricultural practices
- Developing and enacting better regulations and policies
- Managing ecosystems, holistically
- Improving distribution infrastructure
- Addressing pollution
- Shrinking corporate water footprints
America’s tap water contamination problem affects all of us and we can all do a little more to spread awareness. If you’ve read this blog and learned something new, please share it with your friends and family. It’s about your health and your safety—do your part to advocate for change today.
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