The truth on toxic water is out: Demand better from the EPA

Urge the EPA to set strong science-based standards and clean up our contaminated water.

The Truth on Toxic Water is Out

We have a public health disaster on our hands as toxic chemicals that cause serious health problems are contaminating the water for millions of Americans—including families living on or near US military sites. Demand the EPA clean up the toxic water now.

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ACTION ALERT
Demand the EPA Set Science-Based Standards and Clean Up Our Toxic Water

Dear Tony,

Thanks to UCS supporters like you, we helped stop the Trump administration from covering up a study showing the health risks of toxic chemicals in our water. And once the report was released, it shined a bright light on the hard truth that the US public deserves to know: we have a public health disaster on our hands.

Commonly used in products from cleaning products to fire-fighting foams, the chemicals known as “PFAS” have serious health impacts such as asthma and liver damage. The levels of these chemicals found in military communities’ water is nothing short of atrocious.

Our analysis found that more than two-thirds of the military sites tested for contamination by these dangerous chemicals have toxin levels more than 100 times higher than the government report suggests are safe. The problem is so dangerous and pervasive that legislators in Congress are setting up hearings and calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to explain the depth of the problem and how they’ll fix it.

The truth is out. The attention is high. And the pressure is building. Policymakers and the public alike are demanding an explanation. Urge the EPA to set strong science-based standards and work with the Department of Defense (DOD) to create a robust, nationwide plan to clean up toxic water.

We’ve already made some headway and need to keep up the pressure. The DOD must do more to clean up impacted military bases—but they need strong health-based standards from the EPA to know where to direct their efforts. Join elected officials and impacted communities to demand the EPA set enforceable standards for these toxics and a real plan for action.

The longer these dangerous chemicals go largely unregulated or cleaned up, the more dangerous the health consequences we face. We can and have to do more. Demand immediate action to reduce the risk of exposure to these toxic chemicals faced by families living on or near these contaminated sites.