The advisory is intended to guide state and local governments in addressing the contaminants in the water supply. New York in 2020 set drinking water standards for PFOS and PFOA — chemicals used in firefighting foam, carpet and more — at 10 parts per trillion. That’s equal to 10 grains of sand in an Olympic-size swimming pool. The EPA said it plans to introduce national drinking water regulations in the fall.

What to know

• Carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper packaging for food, firefighting foam and nonstick and stain-resistant cookware and other materials resistant to water, grease or stains are some of the products that have been made using the contaminants PFOS and PFOA.
• Manufacturers like 3M began voluntarily phasing out production of the chemicals in 2000.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

On Long Island, PFOS and PFOA have been found in hundreds of public and private wells since the problem came to light around 2016. Water providers bring contaminants down to nondetectable levels in the water supply using granular activated carbon filters. 

The state Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Conservation said Thursday in a joint statement that they are “evaluating U.S. EPA’s new health advisory guidance for PFAS contaminants and how it will complement New York’s nation-leading, rigorous and enforceable drinking water standard.”  

The agencies said the state is moving toward regulating an additional 23 PFAS chemicals this year.

The Long Island Water Conference, which represents water providers, said it supported measures to provide clean water and that hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent locally to test and treat for PFOS and PFOA.

“While exposure to PFOS and PFOA are prevalent throughout our environment and in many consumer and household products, water providers accept the responsibility of limiting residents’ exposure to these compounds as much as possible, and that is exactly what we have done and will continue to do,” said Dennis Kelleher, a spokesman for the water conference, in a statement Wednesday.

Exposure to perflourinated compounds like PFOS and PFOA, which are collectively known as PFAS, can lead to reproductive issues, developmental delays, increased cancer risk and immune system problems, according to the EPA. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not degrade over time.

Environmental advocates said the announcement confirms their stance that there are virtually no safe exposure levels for the chemicals. The Albany-based environmental nonprofit Environmental Advocates NY called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to lower New York’s standard to 2 parts per trillion, the lowest level that can be detected with current methods.

“This announcement from the EPA is a game changer and should have huge ripple effects into how New York protects public health from PFAS,” said Rob Hayes, the nonprofit’s director of clean water.

Representatives from Hochul’s office did not respond Thursday to a request for comment.

The EPA also issued health advisories for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its potassium salt (PFBS) at 2,000 parts per trillion and for hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium, also known as GenX, at 10 parts per trillion. In chemical and product manufacturing, GenX chemicals are considered a replacement for PFOA, and PFBS is considered a replacement for PFOS, according to the EPA.

The EPA also said it is making $1 billion in grant money available — the first of $5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding — for states to address emerging contaminants.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical companies, criticized the method the EPA used to arrive at those levels and said they could not be achieved with existing technology.

“ACC is concerned that the process for development of these LHAs [Lifetime Health Advisories] is fundamentally flawed,” the council said in a statement. “We will continue to engage with EPA and policymakers at the state and federal level to advocate for strong, science-based policies that are protective of human health and the environment.”

David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.-based national nonprofit advocacy organization, noted it is the first time the EPA incorporated studies conducted on humans and not solely animals in its PFOS/PFOA health advisory. He said the new guidelines are encouraging but also frustrating, as scientists have known of the dangers of these chemicals for years.

“It’s indicative of a failure in terms of being able to regulate new industrial chemicals,” Andrews said.

Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 and covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. A Long Island native, she has reported on East End issues for 10 years.

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Originally Appeared Here

By Mylène Ratelle, University of Waterloo, and Jessie Yakeleya, Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, The Conversation

 is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

In Indigenous communities that have lacked access to safe water for years, getting access to a safe water supply is crucial. However, perceptions of the water supply — not just how it tastes and smells, but also trust in the source’s safety — affect consumption.

It is estimated that Canada is in eighth position of the most renewable freshwater resources per capita on the planet. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to safe drinking water. In particular, water security is a challenge for Indigenous communities. Twenty-eight First Nations still have long-term drinking water advisories, meaning no home access to safe drinking water.

This lack of safe water may be linked to indirect adverse health effects. These include things like drinking sweetened beverages as an alternative to water, and not being able to achieve optimal hygiene or prevention of infection transmission (for example, hand washing to prevent COVID-19). It is also associated with the environmental burden of things — like single-use plastic bottles — as well as economic, social, cultural and spiritual impacts.

Limited access to safe drinking water

In December 2021, a compensation process was authorized for those who suffered from a lack of reliable access to clean water, resulting in an $8-billion settlement. The federal government has promised to end all long-term drinking water advisories on First Nations communities by 2025, after failing to achieve this by the previous deadline of March 2021.

Several First Nations, such as Bay of Quinte First Nation in Ontario, have now ended their long-term advisories. Since 2015, 132 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted.

Having access to safe drinking water at home can also be associated with limitations for Indigenous communities. These include the high expenses to maintain water treatment systems, the reliance on trucked-in water and challenges to retain certified water operators, who operate and monitor water plant and distribution equipment.

The perception of tap water

After decades of not having access to safe water, Potlotek First Nation (Nova Scotia) now has a proper water treatment plant. However, because of their experiences with unsafe water, residents still have concerns and are skeptical about the safety of the water. Similar concerns about drinking water quality have been reported as far away as remote Indigenous communities of Australia.

Taste and smell are the main factors impacting the perception of water and consumption practices. We may think that remote northern Indigenous communities have more trust in their tap water, as they have access to pure water far from urban centres. Two of the top 10 biggest lakes on the planet are found in northern Canada, in the Northwest Territories, home of only about 45,000 residents.

However, resource development and climate change, colonial relations and historical polluting industrial activities may have contributed to the perception of low-quality water in remote communities, resulting in low trust in the drinking water supply.

Low trust in tap water in northern Indigenous communities

With a collaborative team including academics and Indigenous northern collaborators, we aimed to understand the extent of this situation. We completed a study to characterize the consumption of water and identify the perception of water in 10 Indigenous communities from the Northwest Territories and Yukon, Canada. Those communities have access to treated tap water delivered to house tanks by truck. We used a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, in surveys and focus groups, to better understand the limitations of drinking water.

Our survey findings indicate that 19 per cent of respondents did not consume any water in the previous 24 hours. Of the people drinking water, one-third drank more bottled water than tap water, and 40 per cent drank more coffee or tea than water.

About two per cent of the respondents had consumed water collected directly from a water body nearby during the previous day — which was in wintertime — and five per cent of respondents mentioned a lake or river as a main source of their drinking water overall through the year.

Both during the consultation meetings and through the surveys, we heard that the smell and taste of chlorine was the main factor limiting the consumption of tap water. Concerns about chlorine in the water were significantly associated with the consumption of water from the land.

During a followup discussion with a small group of Elders in an on-the-land camp, we gathered stories on the importance of untreated water and snow for traditional practices. Snow was identified as the best water for making tea.

Interestingly, there are scientific reasons to justify the differences in the taste, odour and appearance of tea prepared with tap water versus snow or ice water. The thin, dark layer floating on the surface of tea is a combination of oil from the tea leaves and insoluble compounds such as calcium and magnesium, precipitated by heating. As snow does not pass through the ground and does not accumulate ground minerals, this observation should be low. Indigenous knowledge informs science.

Current ongoing water quality monitoring from samples taken at the water plant as well as in lakes and rivers does not show any red flags of chemical contamination.

Decolonizing waters

Water from the Land is consumed for various reasons: as an alternative to unsafe tap water and expensive bottled water, as a perceived healthier and safer option, as a preferred taste and for cultural and traditional practices. However, preference of tap water is limited.

This led us to two main conclusions. First, water is life and protecting the natural sources of water is essential for the wellness and health of those Indigenous communities.

Second, universal access to safe drinking water in First Nations is a must. While decolonizing water and rebuilding trust in water will take time, it might be a key element to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Providing access to safe water is more than building water treatment plants. It is to engage with communities to remove all the limitations of drinking water, including colonial and historical inequities and lack of empowerment, so Indigenous people can rebuild their relationship with and regenerate their trust in water.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Catch more news at Great Lakes Now: 

The Catch: Tribal fishermen in the Great Lakes region

US looks to boost cooperation with tribes on land management

Featured image: Lake Superior shore off Meyers Beach in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Great Lakes Now Episode 1027)

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A planned boil order is coming for residents in Paxton next week.

According to a release from the Paxton Water Corporation, the order is due to a water tower being hooked up to the system. The water tower is a new 150,000-gallon tank and will be located in Graysville.

The boil order will be in place starting Monday, June 20 at 8 a.m. and will remain in place until the state health department gives the “all clear.” Paxton Water Superintendent Derrick Baxley said that it could last up to or beyond 4 days, depending on how things go.

Baxley explained this project requires two consecutive clean samples, which can take at least 48 hours to return the results from the department of health. The boil order could end up being longer should an issue pop up. But if things go well, Baxley says it could end a little sooner.

The CDC’s guidance on what residents should do during a boil order is as follows;

• Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, and for preparing and cooking food.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
• Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if possible.

Handwashing

• In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
• Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing and showering

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brushing teeth

• Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.

Washing dishes

• If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
• Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if:
  • The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66°Celsius), or
  • The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
• Sanitize all baby bottles.
• To wash dishes by hand:
  • Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
  • In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
  • Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
  • Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.

Laundry

• It is safe to wash clothes as usual.

Cleaning

• Clean washable toys and surfaces with:

Caring for pets

• Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Give pets bottled water or boiled water that has cooled.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.

Caring for your garden and houseplants

• You can use tap water for household plants and gardens.

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Originally Appeared Here

Several state water agencies briefed Utah lawmakers on the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee this week about their work to improve water infrastructure throughout the state.

Amid an ongoing drought, below-average snowpack and a vanishing Great Salt Lake, state officials said it would cost billions to complete water infrastructure projects and provided the Legislature with an update on water funds they’d appropriated during the last few years.

Wastewater infrastructure in Utah

John Mackey, the interim director of the Division of Water Quality, says water quality is impacted by the state’s rapid growth. With a booming population, Mackey says the amount of waste the state has to handle is also growing and will spill more into our waterways if the older infrastructure is not updated.

The types of projects that received the highest priority on their list were “replacing septic tanks and controlling nutrients discharges,” according to Mackey.

“We’re really talking about replacing septic tanks with sewer,” Mackey told the committee, adding that many communities throughout Utah have had challenges with their septic tanks. He says the benefits of replacing bad septic tank systems are both economical and a matter of public health.

In an annual clean water survey about waste management, the division identified 127 water projects that would cost about $3.4 billion through 2030. Of that multi-billion dollar total, Mackey says $449 million would go towards “disadvantaged or distressed community projects.” These communities, he explained, are neighborhoods where the “medium adjusted household income is 80% or lower than the state average.”

Capital projects, which tend to push up sewer rates, largely impact smaller, more tight-pocketed communities. Mackey told lawmakers that these communities are mostly rural, but also include university towns, like Provo and Logan, where there is a large population and little income.

Mackey used the city of Helper as an example of where these infrastructure improvements garnered other upgrades. The municipality replaced the storm drains, sewer and drinking water systems. With these replacements, the city also got all new roads. Once the construction was complete, Mackey says, historic buildings were now being renovated and new businesses opened up in the rural city.

“The economic impacts of infrastructure cannot be understated,” Mackey said. “The benefits water infrastructure has to allow a small community to grow and prosper is really important.”

The top ten projects would cost around $274 million, according to Mackey, and nine of which are in rural Utah. Five of the projects are related to drinking water, while four are connected to the shrinking Great Salt Lake.

“We felt that any system that is connected to the basin through the Great Salt Lake has the opportunity to provide some advantages to how we manage and protect the Great Salt Lake,” Mackey said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Improving Utah’s drinking water

The Utah Legislature appropriated $50 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during the 2022 session to help pay for small, rural drinking water needs.

However, Tim Davis, the director of the Division of Drinking Water, says the majority of that money has already been spent because there is over $2 billion worth of drinking water needs throughout the state.

Last year, the division sent a survey to all the drinking water systems in the state. The survey had a 25% response rate and found that the current drinking water needs amounted to about $2 billion.

“With that 25% response rate in mind,” Davis said, “take the $2 billion as the tip of the iceberg, not that it’s comprehensive.”

The agency identified its top 74 drinking water projects (out of 600), which Davis says are mostly in rural and “disadvantaged” areas. Those projects will cost roughly $140 million to complete, according to Davis.

Similar to the Division of Water Quality, Davis’s team calculated the need of an area by the medium income, along with drinking water rates for the impacted area.

Davis told lawmakers that the ARPA funds given to the agency are going to small, rural and disadvantaged areas that have invested up to 1.7% in their local water rates. But, he said, money from the bipartisan infrastructure bill be available for other cities and will most likely be in the form of loans.

“We’ll work with all areas across the state, within our ability, to get them a funding package that works for them,” Davis said.

How water divisions are using state money

Joel Williams, deputy director of the Division of Water Resources, also provided an update on three water-wise projects that were awarded state money.

First, Williams spoke on the $5 million lawmakers set aside to dredge and berm Great Salt Lake.

Fresh water from the south arm of the lake is moving into the north arm, making the water “overly salty” in the south arm, he said. The division will use rock in the impacted area to raise the bottom elevation four feet in order to “prevent the salt water from moving from the north to the south,” William said, “preserving the water in the south arm.”

Construction bids for the project open on June 22 and the division hopes the berming is completed by the end of July. The total estimated cost to lay the rock is less than $300,000, according to Williams. The rest of the money will be used for dredging the lake’s marina.

Next, Williams said there is $50 million left in the budget for secondary water metering. Lawmakers had allocated $250 million for tracking water use and the agency has had 75 applications totaling over $200 million in grant requests.

Since there’s still money left in the budget, Williams told lawmakers the division will open another application window this week and that will go for 45 days through the end of July. The meter projects will be presented to the board of water resources on Aug. 4 where the grants will be awarded.

Lastly, in 2018, the division started a statewide rebate program called “Utah Water Savers” where Utahns can get money back for installing water-efficient toilets and sprinkler control systems. Since then, Williams says they’ve given back upwards of $2 million to Utahns for making the switch. The majority of the money has been for “smart sprinkler controllers.”

“We’ve rebated over 23,000 smart controllers,” said Williams, “and almost 3,000 toilets.”

Through public campaigns, Williams says they’re trying to instill a “lifestyle change” for Utahns to “slow the flow” of water consumption and to make residents more aware of their resource usage. One of those efforts is removing grass to save water.

Williams pointed to park strips as an example, stating it’s hard to water efficiently and it doesn’t get much use.

Instead, the division is encouraging residents and businesses to take part in their “Flip the Strip” campaign that removes the grass from park strips and replaces them with water-wise plants.

“Those conversions can save between five to eight thousand gallons of water,” Williams said.

He said the campaign has been successful and they hope to use the $5 million allotted from the Legislature for grass removal to continue those efforts in partnership with water conservancy districts.

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Originally Appeared Here

We know that beauty begins inside, right? So how about you ditch your so-called miracle aging treatments and exorbitant face creams.

One makeover that can help you feel good and beautiful is by drinking a plethora of clean, pure water.

You see, filtered water or pure water will NOT quite simply quench your thirst. It keeps your body operating in excellent condition whereas additionally raising your overall health and skin.

And when it comes to pure water, many people underestimate the positive effects it can have on your health and skin.

Thus, drinking more pure water is the most natural way you can keep your skin healthy, glowing, and beaming.

So it’s worth a go, and here’s why…

Some Beautiful Benefits of Drinking Pure Water

We all love our skin to be healthy, smooth, and blooming, right? And we would hate to see it go away; that’s why we tend to rely on more external products than some natural ways.

But one resource that we all have access to is water, and it can prove to be helpful to make you feel more beautiful.

That said, you’ll want to make sure that you are drinking pure water, and for that, you’ll have to install the best water purifier.

So if you have managed to do that, here are some benefits that you can reap by drinking pure water.

Sagging Skin

These days, many people rely on a weight loss diet to successfully reduce weight or shed some fat.

However, this quick shedding of fat or weight reduction can bring about sagging skin. That said, there are many factors contributing to skin sagging.

One of the common missteps that the vast majority make is water fasting hoping to tighten their skin.

But that’s a grave mistake; instead,  drinking more pure water every day can gradually improve your skin and tighten it while maintaining the glow.

Reduces Wrinkles

Pure water keeps your body refreshed and hydrated, which in turn helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity.

So the individuals drinking prodigious amounts of water are improbable to suffer from wrinkles, scars, and soft lines; plus, they would not show any aging signs compared to the ones drinking less water.

By drinking pure water, you are helping your body and skin to stay hydrated — especially when you get older, as it becomes hard for the body to retain water.

 Flushes Toxins

Toxics can take a toll on your health, and pure drinking water can help to flush toxins — especially the harmful toxins.

By flushing toxins and increasing your water intake, you are subjecting your body to more excellent health and improve the overall health of your skin.

You can also choose to go on juice diets that can help you achieve the same results, well you can do the same by just drinking pure water — it’s more convenient.

Forestalls Pimples and Acne

Taking about the toxins, some of them can clog pore on your epidermis and result in pimples and acne.

Thus, by drinking water, you are removing toxins and preventing any pimples or acne from occurring to your face; well, that’s undoubtedly relaxing.

Moisturizes your Skin

To keep your skin healthy and moist, as well as your body hydrated, you should be drinking plenty of water.

However, you can also use clean water to wash your skin thoroughly.

Now, we know this would be one hell of a job during the winters but, if you can wash your skin every day, you will not only keep it clean, which is of utmost importance but also maintain the moisture by unclogging and clearing out the pores.

This way, you are keeping your skin replenished and your face glowing.

Elasticity

Clean and pure drinking water provides elasticity that you can lose by staying dehydrated. In addition to this, your skin under your eyes can get dark if you are not elastic and hydrated.

You can check your skin’s elasticity by gently pinching the skin and looking if it bounces backs or not.

And on the off chance, your skin does not bounce back, hey! It’s time to drink more water so that you can keep yourself hydrated and plump the cells.

pH Balance

When it comes to pH balance, it is really imperative to maintain it in your skin.

Generally, the pH levels of any substance range from 0 to 14, where 0 stands for being highly acidic and 14 for more alkaline.

And you’ve guessed it, the neutral pH value is seven and is precisely the same for pure water.

Therefore, you should be drinking pure water to maintain the balance of pH levels while offering you healthy skin.

You see, the reason why we tend to wash our face thoroughly with water is to maintain the balance of pH value.

A Word From Us

What you’ve read here is just the tip of the iceberg; you are only aware of the skin benefits of drinking pure and clean water. Pure and clean water offers a ton of health benefits, and trust us, you would hate to miss out on them, so do yourself a favor and keep drinking pure water.

But… How much water?

Generally, adults ought to drink 8 to 10 glasses each day. Notwithstanding, to keep yourself hydrated, ensure that you are drinking at any rate six glasses of water every day.

Pure water can keep your skin’s elasticity, moisture while reducing aging, wrinkling and providing an impeccable glow.

That said, if you have any qualms, make sure that you are leaving a comment in the section down below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Originally Appeared Here

KHYBER: Scores of residents of Bacha Maina area near the Torkham border here on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for suspending water supply to their homes.

The protesters accused the NLC of diverting water supply from the Landi Khana water supply scheme to their offices and other installations. They said that the move caused acute water shortage in their area.

The tribesmen said that Landi Khana water supply scheme was their only source of water and its unlawful and abrupt suspension by the NLC had deprived them of their legitimate right over drinking water.

They appealed to the district administration and the security officials to ask the NLC authorities to restore water supply to their houses as they had to buy the commodity from private tankers, which was an additional financial burden on them.

Meanwhile, officials at an open kutcheri held in the remote Bazaar Zakhakhel area on Wednesday said that Rs3 billion had been allocated for execution of a number of development schemes in the area.

They said that the funds would be spent on provision of clean drinking water, electricity, establishment of Nadra centre and Rescue 1122 offices in Bazaar Zakhakhel.

Health officials present on the occasion said that the newly-constructed hospital in the area would be made functional in one week. They said that the hospital would have round-the-clock emergency services, a surgical unit, gynaecology and children wards and a dental unit.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2022

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Originally Appeared Here

If blazing hot days have you parched, ACC water officials say a fresh glass of tap water is a safe and refreshing way to cool off. WUGA’s Isabela Weiss has more.

Athens-Clarke County water is safe to drink, according to the most recent ACC Water Test Results, published this month.

The report finds that out of the 90 substances monitored by the EPA like lead and chlorine, Athens water has trace levels of just nine. These substances are all at safe levels according to the ACC Government.

The report does find an elevated level of Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), a disinfection byproduct, at the Barnett Shoals monitoring location. TTHM levels exceeded standards between the third quarter of 2021 (07/01/21 – 09/30/21) and the first quarter of 2022 (01/01/22 – 03/31/22), but has since been corrected by the Public Utilities Department (PUD). The PUD stated that the violation posed “no serious health risk” at the time.

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Originally Appeared Here

Graham Peaslee in the lab

Scientists at the University of Notre Dame studying the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products and textiles have expanded their search for potential sources of PFAS exposure — developing an effective method of testing for PFAS in drinking water and adding face masks to a growing list of products tested for the toxic class of chemicals. 

Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not naturally biodegrade. Studies have shown the chemicals persist in the environment, contaminating groundwater systems, and can accumulate in the bloodstream. PFAS have been linked to reproductive issues, low birth weight, thyroid problems, weakened immune systems and an increased risk of kidney, prostate and testicular cancers.

A new method to measure PFAS in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced multiple health advisories regarding PFAS in drinking water as part of its strategic roadmap to address PFAS contamination throughout the country. The agency stated that when considering lifetime exposure, “some negative health effects may occur with concentrations of PFOA or PFOS in water that are near zero,” according to scientific findings.

Testing for PFAS at low concentrations has been a challenge, as EPA-approved methods require highly sensitive instrumentation and can be quite time intensive.

In the laboratory of Graham Peaslee, a physics professor at Notre Dame, researchers have developed a rapid method that can effectively measure all PFAS levels at concentrations as low as 35 parts per trillion using activated carbon felt, gravity filtration and particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy. This method allows for quick, accurate and cost-effective screening for the presence of PFAS in drinking water.

“The development of a field screening tool to measure the presence of all kinds of soluble PFAS in drinking water rapidly, and at environmentally relevant concentrations, could be a game-changer in terms of identifying which communities are at risk,” Peaslee said.

Face masks do not pose a risk — in most cases

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, face masks have become a common household item. And for many, including health care workers and first responders, they are also a part of the job. In addition to protecting wearers from inhalation of various particulates, some face masks are made for water and heat resistance — and that is what prompted Peaslee and his lab to take a closer look. PFAS chemicals are often used by manufacturers for their water-resistant and film-forming properties, “and we wanted to know if they were being used in personal protective equipment that is in such widespread use,” Peaslee said.

Researchers from Notre Dame, Oregon State University, North Carolina State University and Michigan State University used PIGE testing and other techniques to study a small sample of face masks — only nine in total, including four different types: surgical, single-use disposable masks, N95 masks and reusable cloth masks. One of the masks was specifically marketed to firefighters.

Five out of the nine masks contained some PFAS, but most levels were low enough that the results did not cause concern.

The highest amounts were detected in multi-layered masks made for firefighters. That could add to the risk of exposure firefighters face following studies that found significant amounts of PFAS in personal protective equipment. The chemicals are also known to shed off gear, materials and surfaces — and can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed into the skin.

“PFAS are persistent, toxic chemicals, so we don’t want to find them in face masks,” said Peaslee. “The good news is most people can feel good about the masks they wear and the decision to wear them. Manufacturers of those high-end cloth masks that have higher amounts of PFAS should take action and switch to PFAS-free materials.”

Peaslee’s lab at Notre Dame has found the chemicals in fast food packaging, cosmetics, dental floss, child car seats and firefighting gear, among other products. The results of those studies have led restaurant chains, retailers and manufacturers to seek out PFAS-alternative products.

“These chemicals are still so widely used,” Peaslee said. “We hope these studies help consumers identify products that aren’t a risk, and encourage manufactures that do use PFAS to stop using them.”

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Originally Appeared Here

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the target of providing pure drinking water to every household in the country before the completion of 75 years of Independence.

Shah said that Modi has set the target of providing pure drinking water to every household in Meghalaya on the occasion of 50 years of the northeastern state. “If the source of water is not pure then people will not be healthy,” the Home Minister said after inaugurating the Greater Sohra Water Project on the second day of his two-day visit to Meghalaya.

The Rs 25 crore project was jointly launched by the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Government of Meghalaya under the North-East Special Infrastructure Scheme to provide pure drinking water through taps to every household of the mountainous state.

Shah said that there is an ambitious programme to provide drinking water to 2,80,000 families in the state of Meghalaya, which is clubbed into 1,874 small projects. He said that the task of delivering such an ambitious project in this remote area is extremely important and challenging. The Union Home Minister later garlanded the statue of Swami Vivekananda at Ramakrishna Mission in Sohra and participated in the prayers programme.

Union Minister for DoNER G. Kishen Reddy, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Department of Space Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, DoNER, B.L. Verma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma among others also accompanied Shah.

–IANS

sc/skp/

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Digital Editor

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Originally Appeared Here

Jun 15, 2022, 8:45amUpdated 3h ago

By: Sandrina Rodrigues, Senior Digital Producer

It’s estimated that up to 50% of the water we use outdoors in the
summer is not needed to maintain a healthy landscape, according to New York
American Water.

Across the tri-state area, water suppliers have instituted conservation rate structures as a means to
encourage customers to adjust their consumption habits, and reduce water usage
for the sake of long-term environmental protection and clean drinking water.

You can
implement the small changes below to help conserve water and lower the cost of
your water bill:

1. Water use
calculator

This online
water calculator from Alliance for Water Efficiency allows you to input water
use information specific to your household and offers tips on where you can
save water and energy based on that data.

2. Plants

No need to water
every day. Instead, only water as needed. Depending on the weather or type of
plants/turf, you may find that you only need to water once or twice per week.

3. Lawn

Lawn watering
uses a lot of water. Water your lawn only when it needs it. An easy way to tell
if your lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If you leave
footprints, your lawn may be thirsty! Generally, lawns only need an inch or so
of water per week during the summer months. Set your lawn mower one notch
higher to make your lawn more drought-tolerant.

4. Drip
irrigation

Use drip
irrigation hoses to water plants, and water in the early morning or evening.

5. Porous
pavement

Consider using
porous pavement (gravel is a good example) instead of asphalt for driveways and
walkways, the rain will soak into the soil instead of running off and
contributing to erosion.

6. Broom

Use a broom
instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway, or patio.

7. Local plants

Plant
appropriately for your local climate. Check with local nurseries for
non-invasive, drought-tolerant plants. Choose drought-resistant plants or
native plants. Plants native to the local conditions have the benefit of being
able to thrive within them. And, they often require less maintenance and water.

8. Control the
flow

Use a hose
nozzle on your hose to better control the flow you are using. Place hoses
carefully to avoid watering unnecessary areas like sidewalks.

9. Sprinklers

If you use a
sprinkler, check sprinkler heads to make sure they’re not watering paved or
unwanted areas. Be sure to turn them off when it rains.

10. Mulch

Mulch plant beds
to reduce weeds and preserve moisture. Over mulching can stress plants – only
two to three inches are needed.

11. Car wash

Use a bucket of
soapy water rather than leaving the hose running when washing your car or take
your car to a car wash that recycles the water.

12. Pets

Bathe pets
outdoors in areas that need water.

13. Showers

Install
water-saving showerheads and shorten your shower time to five minutes.

14. Washers

Run dishwashers
and clothes washers only when they are full. If you have a water-saver cycle,
use it. Adjust the water level of your clothes washer so it matches your load
size. If you wash dishes by hand, use two basins: one for washing and one for
rinsing. Don’t let the water run. Before washing dishes by hand or in the
dishwasher, scrape them; don’t rinse first.

15. Leaks

Regularly check
your toilet, faucets, and pipes for leaks. If you find a leak, have it fixed as
soon as possible. Check your water meter before and after a one-hour period
when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a
leak. Check water bills for any instances of high water use, as this may be an
indication of a leak.

16.
Water-efficient

Consider water and
energy-efficient appliances. Products and services that have earned the
WaterSense label have been certified to be at least 20% more efficient without
sacrificing performance. The USEPA reports that EPA-certified Energy Star
washing machines may use 35% less water per load. Water-saving showerheads,
toilets and faucet aerators can also help cut your water usage.

17. Insulation

Insulate exposed
water pipes with pre-slit foam insulation. You’ll enjoy hot water faster and
avoid wasting water while it heats up.

18. Turn it off

Turn off the
water while you are brushing your teeth.

19. Running the
tap

Keep a pitcher
of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for a cold
glass.

20. Rinsing

Rinse vegetables
and fruit in a basin rather than under running water. Defrost frozen foods
without running water over the packages. Plan ahead and place frozen items in
the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave.

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Originally Appeared Here