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OKIsItJustMe

(20,594 posts)
Sat Oct 26, 2024, 07:52 PM Oct 26

USGS: Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies

Last edited Sat Oct 26, 2024, 08:27 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/millions-us-may-rely-groundwater-contaminated-pfas-drinking-water
NATIONAL NEWS RELEASE
Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies
Estimates according to a new USGS predictive model. Exposure to some PFAS may lead to adverse health risks.

By Communications and Publishing October 24, 2024

PEMBROKE, N.H. — Approximately 71 to 95 million people in the Lower 48 states – more than 20% of the country’s population – may rely on groundwater that contains detectable concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, for their drinking water supplies. These findings are according to a U.S Geological Survey study published Oct. 24.

The predictive model results can help members of the public, water suppliers and regulators understand the potential for PFAS contamination, guide future studies and inform strategic planning for water resources.

USGS scientists are the first to report national estimates of PFAS occurrence in untreated groundwater that supplies water to public and private wells. This research also provides the first estimate of the number of people across the country who are potentially affected by PFAS-contaminated groundwater.

Along with a scientific report, the USGS published an interactive, online map so users can see probability estimates of PFAS occurrence. Note that predictive results are intended to be evaluated at state, regional and national scales rather than at individual household levels. Probability estimates are for the presence of PFAS in groundwater and do not account for any subsequent actions taken by states, municipalities or individuals to treat drinking water. The model does not include estimates of PFAS concentrations; testing is the only way to confirm the presence of contaminants.

Exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health risks in people, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications, from the linings of fast-food boxes and non-stick cookware to fire-fighting foams and other purposes. PFAS are commonly called “forever chemicals” because many of them do not easily break down and can build up over time, making them a concern for drinking water quality.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.ado6638
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USGS: Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies (Original Post) OKIsItJustMe Oct 26 OP
Trump will solve this problem right away! He will end USGS!! bucolic_frolic Oct 26 #1
Trump on coronavirus testing: 'If we stopped testing right now, we'd have very few cases, if any' OKIsItJustMe Oct 26 #2

OKIsItJustMe

(20,594 posts)
2. Trump on coronavirus testing: 'If we stopped testing right now, we'd have very few cases, if any'
Sat Oct 26, 2024, 08:02 PM
Oct 26
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-coronavirus-testing-stopped-testing-212011656.html
Trump on coronavirus testing: ‘If we stopped testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any’
Yahoo News Video
Mon, June 15, 2020 at 5:20 PM EDT

At the White House on Monday, President Trump spoke about testing for the coronavirus in the U.S., saying, “If we stopped testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any.”

Video Transcript

DONALD TRUMP: Again, our testing is so far advanced. It's so much bigger and better than any other country that we're going to have more cases. We're always going to have more cases. And as I said, this morning, that's probably the downside of having good testing is you find a lot of cases that other countries, who don't even test, don't have. If you don't test, you don't have any cases.

If we stop testing right now, we'd have very few cases, if any, but we do. We're at a level that Mike is going to talk about that's so high, but we will show more cases when other countries have far more cases than we do. They just don't talk about it, but the testing, on the other hand, is very good. Because we find out where it's going, how it's going, who it's going to, and we take care of it.
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