On December 5, 2013 the news page Environmental Health News published an article reporting the finding of 18 unregulated contaminants in one third of waters tested from U.S. drinking water utilities. The compounds detected at low levels by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include triclosan as well as 11 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). PFCs are used in the coatings of non-stick cooking ware and in paper and board food contact materials. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been linked to cancer. Triclosan is used as an antimicrobial in food contact materials. The EPA scientists led by Susan Glassmeyer looked for a total of 251 substances of which 117 were not detected. Edward Furlong, U.S Geological Survey (USGS) scientist who also worked on the study, said that the scientists hope to accelerate the creation of a new drinking water contaminant candidate list and the development of new methods to test for them in drinking water plants.
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Brian Bienkowski (December 5, 2013). “New report: Unregulated contaminants common in drinking water.” Environmental Health News.
