Communities of color disproportionately exposed to PFAS in drinking water, study says
People living in Hispanic and Black communities in the U.S. are disproportionately exposed to toxic “forever chemicals” pollution in drinking water systems, according to a new public study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology on Monday. Why it matters: The study contributes to previous research showing that people of color and low-income communities are excessively affected by other forms of pollution, too, including fine air particulate, lead and other drinking water contaminants. Driving the news: In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed drinking water regulations on six compounds of a family of over 12,000 types of chemicals collectively called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).