Contaminants Found In Long Beach’s Drinking Water: Report

The following contaminants were detected at levels above the environmental group’s recommended health guidelines:

Radium

• Potential Effect: Cancer
• Detected at 2.7 times the level of the recommended EWG guideline
• 0.14 pCi/L: Rate at which this contaminant appears in water
• 0.05 pCi/L: EWG health guideline
• 5 pCi/L: Legal limit

In the case of polyfluorinated substances (PFAs), the environmental group estimated that up to 110 million Americans may have these contaminants in their drinking water. However, the EPA currently requires drinking water utilities to test for only six of the 14 known substances in this category.

A variety of other contaminants found in the water of millions of Americans may pose potential health risks. These include lead, which is associated with developmental issues in small children; arsenic, which has been linked to certain health concerns; and copper, which may pose risks for infants.

The EPA did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the findings of the study.

According to the environmental group, many of the more than 270 contaminants detected through water sampling are at levels considered legal under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, but recent studies suggest they may pose potential health risks at these concentrations.

Visit the environmental group’s webpage for Long Beach to learn about recommended approaches for addressing specific substances in drinking water and their associated risks.

“In the absence of federal leadership, and to protect our communities, New York State is taking steps to adopt some of the most protective maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4 dioxane,” said Erin Silk, spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health. “New York State agencies are also conducting an extensive investigation into potential sources of contamination by these chemicals. Unlike MCLs, EWG’s guidelines are not enforceable standards but are based on available scientific data evaluating the health impacts of these contaminants and the required technology and costs for prevention, monitoring, and treatment.”

The City of Long Beach did not respond to requests for comment.

The environmental group has expressed concerns about the federal government’s approach to water safety.

“The regulatory system designed to ensure the safety of America’s drinking water faces significant challenges. The failure of the federal government to establish legal limits for over 160 unregulated contaminants in U.S. tap water raises concerns about public health,”

Environmental Working Group researchers mentioned in their report, “State of American Drinking Water,”

A key concern of the organization is the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to add any new contaminants to the toxic chemicals list covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act in nearly 20 years.

Independent experts agree.

“With ongoing research into what we call ’emerging contaminants,’ it is evident that there are aspects of our tap water that may need improvement,” said Kristin Strock, professor of Environmental Science at Dickinson College.

Strock, who is not affiliated with the environmental group, also highlighted the challenges in the process of federally regulating harmful contaminants, noting that the current system has its limitations.

“The path to regulating harmful contaminants is challenging, as our current framework for ensuring clean water involves ‘proving’ something is harmful before regulating it, rather than assuming contaminants could be harmful and requiring them to be proven safe before allowing them into industrial production and the environment,” she explained. “The EPA has been working to identify safe limits for several of these emerging contaminants and continues to address the issue.”

The Environmental Working Group also pointed out that individuals often feel powerless against the chemicals entering their water supply, as well as the costs associated with various water filtration methods.

Olga Naidenko, vice president of science investigation at the group, further explained, “Industries and companies that have contributed to contamination in the environment and drinking water sources should be responsible for covering the associated costs, as it is unreasonable for homeowners to bear the financial burden for pollution they did not create.”

The water group provides information on various filtering technologies that can help reduce water contamination. For example, carbon filters may reduce many contaminants, though they do not address all potential issues.

How to Check Contaminants In Your Water:

The environmental group’s public database provides information on contaminants in water systems across the country. To view data at the state level, select your state, and for more localized information, enter your ZIP code.

After entering your ZIP code, you’ll be directed to a page displaying the name of your water utility system. Select “View Utility” to see the identified contaminants in your area.

What You Can Do

For those with concerns, the environmental group provides a guide to selecting water filters. If your local water supply contains higher levels of certain substances, you can search for a filter designed to reduce or address those specific contaminants.

While water filters can play a role in improving water quality, the group also acknowledges that they are not a comprehensive solution to underlying water contamination issues.

“We want to emphasize that it’s a first-line, temporary measure,” Evans told Patch. “It’s a step you can take today to help protect yourself, but ultimately, we aim for long-term, lasting improvements, and that will require action at the community level.”

The environmental group has also developed a set of seven questions you can ask your elected officials regarding local tap water.

The organization encourages individuals to contribute to efforts aimed at improving tap water safety.

The organization believes in the value of personal advocacy and encourages individuals to engage with their local elected officials. Community involvement can play a significant role in promoting change, according to Naidenko.

Where The Environmental Working Group Gets Its Funding:

The majority of the group’s funding comes from private charitable foundations. Below is a partial list of the organization’s major backers.

• 11th Hour Project
• Civil Society Institute
• Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation
• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
• The McKnight Foundation
• Popplestone Foundation
• Park Foundation
• The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• Barbra Streisand Foundation
• Turner Foundation
• Wallace Genetic Foundation
• The Walton Foundation
• Winslow Foundation

Source: Patch