Why "Safe" Drinking Water Standards May Not Truly Protect Your Health
While the U.S. government sets legal limits for contaminants in drinking water, these standards haven’t kept pace with current scientific understanding, leaving Americans exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. For infants, children, and pregnant women, the risks are particularly high. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created health benchmarks for drinking water, based on the latest research, to define what’s truly safe—not just legally permissible. Here’s a closer look at some key contaminants and the standards set by EWG to protect public health.
Why Legal Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
Federal standards are often outdated and don’t consider the vulnerability of developing fetuses or children. Many chemicals in water, such as PFAS and nitrate, have no enforceable limits or, if regulated, are subject to levels much higher than those recommended by recent health research. The EWG’s fifth Tap Water Database aims to provide a science-based approach, offering no-compromise guidelines that prioritize health over political or economic factors.
Contaminants and Their Health Effects
Below are some contaminants commonly found in drinking water, their current federal limits, EWG’s recommended health guidelines, and associated health risks:
| Contaminant | Federal Legal Limit | EWG Health Guideline | Health Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atrazine | 3 ppb | 0.1 ppb | Hormone disruption, cancer, fetal development issues |
| Barium | 2 ppm | 0.7 ppm | High blood pressure, kidney, heart, and blood vessel damage |
| Glyphosate | 700 ppb | 5 ppb | Cancer, fetal growth, and kidney harm |
| Nitrate | 10 ppm | 0.14 ppm | Cancer, fetal growth, child development concerns |
| PFAS | None | 0.001 ppb | Cancer, immune, and developmental risks |
| PFOA | None | 0.007 ppt | Cancer, immune, and liver health risks |
| Trihalomethanes | 80 ppb | 0.15 ppb | Bladder and skin cancer, fetal growth harm |
How EWG Developed Health Guidelines
The EWG’s benchmarks rely on in-depth epidemiological studies and health data. Each guideline considers exposure risks, age-specific safety factors, and cumulative lifetime risk. This approach ensures standards that go beyond cost considerations, striving for the highest health protection possible. For instance:
- Atrazine: EWG set a limit of 0.1 ppb based on studies linking atrazine exposure to preterm births.
- Nitrate: A guideline of 0.14 ppm minimizes cancer risk and protects against developmental harm.
- PFAS and PFOA: Recognizing their lasting impact, EWG suggests stringent guidelines to minimize these chemicals’ effects on the immune system and overall health.
A Call for Safer Drinking Water Standards
Legal water limits often reflect economic or political compromises rather than true health safety. The reality is that "legal" doesn’t necessarily mean "safe." Communities relying on drinking water that meets federal standards may still face exposure to contaminants that pose significant health risks. EWG’s updated health benchmarks reveal a gap that needs bridging through stricter federal standards and enforcement.
Conclusion: Protecting Public Health, One Guideline at a Time
Safe drinking water is essential for every American, but current federal standards fall short. The EWG’s no-compromise approach to water quality aims to set a new benchmark for safety, especially for vulnerable populations. By pushing for updated, science-backed standards, we can move closer to ensuring that all Americans have access to clean and truly safe drinking water.
