New Hampshire Committee to Consider Tough Water Standards for Chemicals

A New Hampshire legislative committee will consider a proposal to create some of the nation’s toughest drinking water standards for a class of toxic chemicals that have caused widespread contamination in the state.

On Thursday, the New Hampshire Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules took up the proposal to set maximum levels for several compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalykyl substances, collectively called PFAS. New Hampshire is proposing a maximum of 12 parts per trillion for one of the contaminants called PFOA and 15 parts per trillion for another called PFOS.

The substances, used in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware and other products, have been dubbed “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment. Studies found potential links between high levels in the body of one form of the contaminants and illnesses.

Topics Chemicals