News blog

WA’s public water systems would need $1.6 billion for initial PFAS cleanup, state officials say

By Isabella Breda and Manuel Villa
April 10, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the first national drinking water standard for six so-called forever chemicals Wednesday, a change that could cost Washington public water utilities an estimated $1.6 billion, according to state officials.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/biden-administration-reveals-first-drinking-water-standard-for-pfas

DOE – 6PPD

6PPD stands for the chemical N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine. It’s a chemical that prevents automotive tires from degrading (i.e., breaking down) and helps them last longer. When 6PPD is exposed to air, it reacts with ozone to create 6PPD-quinone (also known as 6PPDQ). 6PPDQ is lethal to coho salmon and can contaminate water systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/6ppd

United States Analysis of the Regulatory Inception of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances(PFAS) in Drinking Water Policy among States and Review of Regulatory Efforts made by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency

By Amy Hagarty, Bachelor of Science
A Thesis Submitted in Partial
Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
Master of Science
in the field of Environmental Science
Graduate School
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
December, 2023