EPA to propose US limits on toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

harmful "forever chemicals" in drinking water after finding they are dangerous in amounts so small as to be undetectable. But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.Concerned about the chemicals' ability to weaken children's immune systems, the EPA said last year that PFAS could cause harm at levels "much lower than previously understood.""We as a community of scientists and policymakers and regulators really missed the boat early on," said Susan Pinney, director of the Center for Environmental Genetics at the University of Cincinnati.RELATED: Eating 1 fish from US lakes, rivers equal to a month of drinking 'forever chemicals' water, study saysThere is also evidence the compounds are linked to low birthweight, kidney cancer and a slew of other health issues.

It’s unclear what the EPA will now propose and how well it will protect people from these recently-understood harms.The compounds PFOA and PFOS are part of a larger family of chemicals called PFAS, for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, that are widespread, don’t degrade in the environment and have been around for decades.

They’ve been used in nonstick pans, food packaging and firefighting foam. Their use is now mostly phased out in the U.S., but some still remain.Water providers are preparing for tough standards and testing that will undoubtedly reveal PFOA and PFOS in communities that don’t yet know the chemicals are in their water.