Why the EPA is Setting Limits on Rocket Fuel in Drinking Water

The EPA is finally setting limits on perchlorate, a chemical found in rockets and explosives, in drinking water. This move comes after a long legal battle and a court order, not because the EPA thinks it will make a big difference to public health. Perchlorate can mess up the thyroid, which is especially bad for kids. It can lower their IQ and cause behavioral issues. The EPA says that only a tiny fraction of water systems will actually have perchlorate levels above the proposed limits. So, most places will have to spend money on testing and monitoring without seeing much benefit.The EPA has been dragging its feet on this issue for over a decade. They first said perchlorate was a big enough problem to regulate in 2011. But they kept delaying and changing their minds. In 2020, they even said no standard was needed because they thought perchlorate wasn't as common or dangerous as they thought. But a court said the EPA had to propose a regulation. So now they're asking for public input on different limit levels. The Natural Resources Defense Council is happy that the EPA is finally taking action, even if it's reluctant. The EPA's actions on drinking water have been more moderate than their other environmental policies. They're keeping strict limits on some harmful chemicals but giving utilities more time to comply. They're also scrapping limits on other types of chemicals.