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Toxic fluorinated compounds found in drinking water of 33 states

news.harvard.edu

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Re: Toxic fluorinated compounds found in drinking water of 33 states

#4
While drinking water is generally extremely safe in the US, especially compared to many other countries of the world. I still install three stage, under the counter filtration systems for any kitchen tap water. Minimal costs, and at the very least prevents the water from tasting like a pool.

Re: Toxic fluorinated compounds found in drinking water of 33 states

#6
had at least one water sample that measured at or above the EPA safety limit of 70 parts per trillion (ng/L)

Just for reference, here are the EPA safety limits for other chemicals....[1]

Cyanide - 200,000 ng/L

Lead - 15,000 ng/L

Mercury - 2,000 ng/L

Benzene - 5,000 ng/L

Glyphosate - 700,000 ng/L

PCBs - 500 ng/L

[1]https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/table-re...

Re: Toxic fluorinated compounds found in drinking water of 33 states

#9
post #2

The article refers to compounds found in, for example, firefighting foam and not to the fluoride added for preventing tooth decay.

"A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works." - Dr Strangelove

Re: Toxic fluorinated compounds found in drinking water of 33 states

#10
post #6

had at least one water sample that measured at or above the EPA safety limit of 70 parts per trillion (ng/L) Just for reference, here are the EPA safety limits for other chemicals....[1] Cyanide - 200,000 ng/L Lead - 15,000 ng/L Mercury - 2,000 ng/L Benzene - 5,000 ng/L Glyphosate - 700,000 ng/L PCBs - 500 ng/L [1] https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/table-re...

Not really related, but even as a scientist I really don't understand how ng/L == parts-per-trillion. I know that's a correct conversion, but it doesn't doesn't make much sense. I guess that's why part-per notation are called pseudo-units.

A more substantive comment:

Some of these are particularly scary, especially if you have a job where you're potentially exposed. For example, for benzene has a pretty strong odor, but 5000 ng/L is supposedly 1000 times below what you're able to smell. And it's a carcinogen...

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