Sunny early. Scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 89F. W winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, then becoming clear overnight. Low 78F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Updated: May 28, 2024 @ 11:50 pm
Two cups of water, one clear and the other murkier, on a countertop in front of a sink.
Tap water running in a sink.
Leila Lemos.
Two cups of water, one clear and the other murkier, on a countertop in front of a sink.
Environmentalists and water conservationists are praising a new federal law that controls the amount of toxic chemicals in tap water, which is linked to health issues like cancer, liver damage and high cholesterol.
The Biden administration’s groundbreaking law targets reducing exposure to per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances. Water utilities, including Miami-Dade, are required to filter out five or more than 12,000 types of individual forever chemicals.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the regulations also set a limit for mixtures of any two or more of PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX chemicals.
Tap water running in a sink.
Chemicals are used to help products repel water and oil, but they remain in the environment and are consumed by humans, which can also cause heart problems and thyroid disease.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chemicals are found in the blood of nearly 97 percent of all Americans.
The Biden administration is also earmarking about $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states conduct testing and treatment for these chemicals at public water systems and for owners of private wells.
The money is part of a $9 billion investment to help communities manage water contaminated with PFAS and other contaminants.
The new federal guidelines for toxic chemicals in drinking water protect Biscayne Bay after a 2022 study by Florida International University revealed it contained the highest concentration of forever chemicals among three sites researchers tested.
The chemicals perfluoroalkyl,polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) and phthalate esters (PAEs) were found in myriad industrial and consumer products, from cosmetics to packaging, clothing, toys and more.
The study also found that 156 oysters tested in Biscayne Bay, Marco Island and Tampa Bay contained high amounts of chemicals.
FIU researcher Leila Lemos said in a press release that this is “somewhat surprising,” because the more time oysters have to grow, the more time they have to accumulate toxic chemicals.
Leila Lemos.
“Tampa Bay oysters were among the largest in the study, but they didn’t have nearly the amount of PFAS or PAEs as the tinier Biscayne Bay oysters,” Lemos said. “This means Biscayne Bay could be so contaminated, the oysters are bombarded with such high concentrations they accumulate contaminants more quickly.”
Miami-Dade County has been working to improve the bay’s health by preventing fertilizer runoff during the rainy season and converting septic systems into sewers.
“Miami-Dade emphasizes the importance of preserving the bay, especially given its impact on people’s way of life and livelihoods,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
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