Ever since I was little, I have taken road trips to explore the Eastern Shore and the beaches. As my family and I drove to Ocean City, we would cross Delaware with its lush forests lining the highway. Through the forests would run crystal streams seen from a distance. Every time, the water looks so inviting that I would love to take a drink, though I never do because I’m sure it’s not safe. What many Americans don’t realize is that our drinking water might not be safe either because of contamination from a class of toxic man-made chemicals called PFAS.
PFAS chemicals have been around since the 1940s and were originally used to coat nonstick cookware. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they never break down and can build up in the environment and our bodies. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancer, immune system deficiencies, high cholesterol, low fertility and child development issues. Two of the primary ways PFAS enter our drinking water is through the use of firefighting foams and industrial discharges. In Delaware, the Division of Public Health has found traces of PFAS in the drinking water of the Bethany Crest community.
Fortunately, Congress is able to address the toxics in our taps. Specifically, Congress should phase out the use of PFAS in firefighting foams, require the EPA to stop manufacturers from dumping PFAS in our waterways, and require EPA to create drinking water regulations for PFAS. With that end in mind, last week, Environment America and U.S. PIRG, along with 80 other organizations, submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate calling for legislation that protects our drinking water from PFAS. All Delawareans should seize this moment to call on our senators to turn off the tap on toxic PFAS.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
