EPA rolls out plan to deal with toxic chemicals in water

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined a national plan Thursday to deal with public health risks of pollution caused by a family of chemicals used in many household products, including those produced by Minnesota-based 3M Co.

Drinking water and groundwater pollution caused by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS — has been linked to cancer and other serious health risks, including immune system, liver and thyroid problems and in animal studies low birthweights and increased mortality in offspring. The new EPA initiative will include a move to eventually list PFAS as a toxic material qualifying for Super Fund pollution control dollars, agency administrator Andrew Wheeler said.

http://www.startribune.com/epa-rolls-out-plan-to-deal-with-toxic-chemicals-in-water/505838772/