HHS releases drinking water contaminants report

June 21, 2018

A government report found the "minimal risk levels" for exposure to PFOS and PFOA are lower than the threshold recommended by the EPA.

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WASHINGTON, JUNE 21, 2018 -- A government study on the toxicity levels of chemicals commonly used in manufacturing was made public on Wednesday.

The 800-plus-page draft report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, shows that the "minimal risk levels" for exposure to PFOS/PFOA are lower than the threshold currently recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. CNN reports the EPA's levels are 10 and 6.7 times higher, respectively.

The report was held up for months, and internal emails obtained in April by the science advocacy group Union of Concerned Scientists showed EPA and White House officials discussing the impact of the report. Multiple groups have called for the report's release since then.

The emails became public around the time the EPA held a conference on the subject, excluding members of the press from attending.