EPA to Introduce New US Water Regulation

The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is to formulate new regulations to prevent perchlorate and other toxic chemicals from entering US drinking water.

The EPA reversed an earlier decision and announced that it will regulate perchlorate and 16 volatile organic compounds that can cause cancer at high doses.

The EPA stated that scientific research indicates that perchlorate may affect the normal function of the thyroid, which produces important developmental hormones.

Monitoring data revealed that more than 4% of public water systems in the US contain perchlorate and that up to 17 million people may be served drinking water containing the chemical.

Perchlorate is used in fireworks, road flares and rocket fuel, and may be present in bleach and some fertilisers, according to the EPA.