CLIFF NOTES: A 30-inch sewer force main broke in Portsmouth on Aug. 4. The failure released an estimated 3.15 million gallons of sewage and wastewater. A recreational water advisory for Hull Creek was issued Aug. 5 and later lifted. A second crack required an additional repair clamp on Aug. 11. Virginia health officials reported no … Read more
CLIFF NOTES EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced PFAS actions at a Monday roundtable in Washington. The EPA proposed a comprehensive, lifecycle-based strategy for PFAS in drinking water. Kennedy announced nearly $1 billion in new funding for states to address PFAS in drinking water. Kennedy said the work spans … Read more
CLIFF NOTES People who drink bottled water daily consume up to 90,000 more microplastic particles per year. Microplastics can enter the bloodstream and reach vital organs, potentially causing inflammation, hormonal issues, and cancer risks. Nanoplastics, smaller than 1 micrometer, are especially difficult to detect and study due to technical and cost barriers. Most governments regulate … Read more
CLIFF NOTES A USGS study found PFAS in 45% of US tap water. The study tested water from 716 locations between 2016 and 2021. PFAS are man-made chemicals that don’t break down naturally. These chemicals are linked to cancer, birth issues, and other health risks. Over 99% of Americans have PFAS in their blood, according … Read more
CLIFF NOTES● Studies link plastic bottles to chemical exposure.● Heat can increase chemical leaching.● Chronic exposure may affect health.● Bottled water is not inherently safer.● Safer storage and filtration reduce risk. Standing barefoot on the sands of Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands, Sarah Sajedi looked out across the calm expanse of the Andaman Sea. But … Read more
The FDA has identified the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ten bottled water brands sold across the U.S., raising concerns about the perceived safety of a product many Americans turn to for peace of mind. Though the detected PFAS levels remained below federal safety thresholds, their mere presence has stirred renewed dialogue … Read more
A recent study from Sweden suggests that a common method of disinfecting drinking water may pose serious health risks. Researchers found that chemical byproducts formed during chlorination could increase the risk of bladder cancer by 33% and colorectal cancer by 15%. The Role of Trihalomethanes in Public Water Systems The study, published in Environmental Health … Read more
A recent study has uncovered a concerning link between wastewater treatment plants and the contamination of drinking water with persistent “forever chemicals.” These substances, primarily associated with prescribed drugs and industrial pollutants, may be exposing millions of Americans to potential health risks as conventional treatment methods fail to eliminate them. Moreover, climate change is exacerbating … Read more
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in Virginia Beach has begun notifying residents about the potential presence of lead in private water service lines as part of a compliance effort with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Revised Lead and Copper Rule. The City has mapped all known public and private water service line materials, accessible … Read more
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are a group of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals designed to resist breaking down, both in the environment and in human bodies. Originally developed in the 1940s, PFAS compounds have been widely used for their remarkable nonstick, waterproof, and stain-resistant properties. But in recent years, as … Read more