Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, there is a developing crisis across the United States as “forever chemicals” contaminate drinking water wells; the EU’s foreign policy chief says a Europe-wide army could be “extremely dangerous;” and Mexico’s president pledges to send aid to Cuba. Sign up for Postcards from Milan Cortina, our free Olympics pop-up newsletter sent directly from the Games. |
Attendees listen to presentations at the Chatsworth, Georgia, town hall in June 2025. The group PFAS Georgia represents numerous residents and farmers in Dalton and Calhoun who allege their properties are contaminated with PFAS from the carpet industry. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) |
A crisis emerges across the US as ‘forever chemicals’ quietly contaminate drinking water wells |
The roughly 40 million Americans who get drinking water from wells are at particular risk when harmful forever chemicals contaminate the supply. Odorless and colorless, the chemicals known collectively as PFAS are linked to increased risk of certain cancers. While water from a utility will be forced to meet federal PFAS limits, those limits won’t apply to private wells. And well owners are often the last to learn about contamination. At least 20 states don’t test private wells beyond areas where PFAS problems are suspected. When a well is tainted, it can take homeowners years to find a new source of clean water. Read more.
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