Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Widely Found In NY Water: New EPA Data

LONG ISLAND, NY —Residents of Long Island are among 89.3 million people nationwide who have drinking water that has tested positive for toxic “forever chemicals,” known collectively as PFAS, according to new data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In April, the EPA finalized landmark drinking water standards that establish strict limits on PFOA and PFOS, two of the most toxic of the forever chemicals. In the most recent round of testing, at least one of the 29 kinds of PFAS were found in one-third of 4.750 public water systems tested in 2023 and 2024.

According to the EPA, 174 public water systems in New York have tested positive for PFAS.

An analysis of the PFAS data by the Environmental Working Group that includes the new testing results shows a concentration of impacted water systems in Nassau County on Long Island — with other areas in Suffolk County, including Riverhead and Hampton Bays. Another spot in Suffolk County with drinking water over the proposed limit is Hauppauge. Across New York, impacted systems also include parts of Woodbury, Newburgh, Pleasant Valley, Fishkill, and upstate New York, the map shows.

Many have worked in recent years to address the issues. Rep. Nick Lalota, who represents New York District 1, voted to help pass the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill last week. The bill includes several provisions authored by LaLota, including cleaning up the former Grumman site in Calverton. His aim is to speed up PFAS remediation efforts at closed military installations where PFAS contamination affects local drinking water, including the former Grumman site in Calverton.

The true extent of PFAS contamination in public drinking water supplies is likely much greater, as the latest testing was done on only one-third of water systems serving 90 percent of the U.S. population.

Any public water utility with more than 3,000 customers is required to test for the 29 individual PFAS chemicals between now and 2026. The new rules require public water utilities to eventually reduce PFAS to near-zero levels.

The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, which are widespread, long-lasting in the environment and have been linked to cancer and a host of other health problems. They’re ubiquitous, found in everything from food packaging and cookware to dental floss and other personal care items to children’s toys and firefighting foams.

• Related: 12 Ways To Get PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Out Of Your Home And Life

Water providers are entering a new era with significant additional health standards that the EPA says will make tap water safer for millions of consumers — a Biden administration priority. The agency has also proposed forcing utilities to remove dangerous lead pipes.

Utility groups warn the rules will cost tens of billions of dollars each and fall the hardest on small communities with fewer resources. Legal challenges are sure to follow. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in April that the rule is the most important action the EPA has ever taken on PFAS.

"The result is a comprehensive and life-changing rule, one that will improve the health and vitality of so many communities across our country," Regan said at the time.

Environmental and health advocates praised the rule, but said PFAS manufacturers knew decades ago the substances were dangerous yet hid or downplayed the evidence. Limits should have come sooner, they argue.

"Reducing PFAS in our drinking water is the most cost-effective way to reduce our exposure," said Scott Faber, a food and water expert at the Environmental Working Group. ""t's much more challenging to reduce other exposures such as PFAS in food or clothing or carpets."

The EPA has dramatically shifted its health guidance for forever chemicals in recent years as more research into health harms has emerged. Less than a decade ago, the EPA issued a health advisory that PFOA and PFOS levels combined shouldn't exceed 70 parts per trillion. Now, the agency says no amount is safe.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.