What Chemicals can be found in Long Island Water
What Chemicals can be found in Long Island Water
By: Will Concepcion
Contamination of Long Island Water
For 2019-2021, Long Island has been one of the most prominent contestants for having the most contaminated water in New York. According to Desiree D’lorio, “NYPIRG’s Environmental Policy Director Liz Moran says Long Island’s drinking water contains high levels of harmful contaminants like 1,4-dioxane, PFOS and PFOA.” These chemicals are in the water that almost 16 million people drink in Long Island. As a result, those who drink said water often have discomfort and are more susceptible to illnesses. Thanks to technological advancement, finding these harmful chemicals and other things in drinking water has been more accessible than ever. This furthermore leads to the questions: What chemicals are inside Long Island’s drinking water, and what are the regulations set in place for drinking water?
Chemicals in Long Island’s Drinking Water
The chemicals in the drinking water are hazardous and harmful to those who drink it. The most common contaminant of groundwater in Long Island is a group of chemicals known as VOCs, volatile organic compounds. Generally carcinogenic, these compounds are often used in industrial activities such as high tech, electronics, manufacturing, and more. For example, the chemical 1,4 Dioxane is found in drinkable water sources, a human carcinogen that has been evidenced to lead to liver cancer, chronic kidney and liver problems, and more. Another group of chemicals found in home cleaning products like trichloroethane, trichloroethene, and tetrachloroethylene are substances that irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Long-term effects would be defatting dermatitis or water loss in the skin, which results in whitening of the skin and cracking, and scleroderma-like skin changes. Another study by Dr. Sarah Meyland, director of the center for water resources management, shows how the evidence supports the claim that 3000-5000 varieties of chemicals, called persistent chemicals for their lifespan, are inside the drinking water. This comes from a lack of strong protections for the water.
What is being done to make water safe to drink?
The State of New York has been taking steps to ensure drinking water safety by spending millions of dollars to set drinking water standards. The new treatment systems will improve drinking water and sewage treatment, increasing the quality of water throughout New York. Nassau County also passed a law where water providers must work immediately to rid the wells of these invaders if toxic chemicals are found in drinking wells. If it’s not done in the allotted time, they must be granted more time with a deferral. This deferral gives more time and warns residents and consumers that the water does not meet the stricter standards ensured. Dr. Sarah Meyland explains how water treatment is worst because new filtration systems are delayed thanks to the persistent chemicals requiring new and expensive treatment.
Thanks to new technology, New York State is taking water quality more seriously, implementing new laws and regulations to stop the worsening problem of chemicals inside our drinking water.
Sources:
Long Island Water Quality | High Water Standard. 17 Sept. 2020, www.highwaterstandard.com/blog/long-island-water-quality.
Bonfiglio, Briana. “Report Finds Chemicals above State Limit in 21 Long Island Water Districts.” LI Press, 24 Mar. 2021, www.longislandpress.com/2021/03/24/report-finds-chemicals-above-state-limit-in-21-long-island-water-districts/. Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
“Report: Long Island’s Drinking Water Has Most Contaminants in State.” Citizens Campaign for the Environment, www.citizenscampaign.org/whats-new-at-cce/2019/6/18/report-long-islands-drinking-water-has-most-contaminants-in-state. Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
For 2019-2021, Long Island has been one of the most prominent contestants for having the most contaminated water in New York. According to Desiree D’lorio, “NYPIRG’s Environmental Policy Director Liz Moran says Long Island’s drinking water contains high levels of harmful contaminants like 1,4-dioxane, PFOS and PFOA.” These chemicals are in the water that almost 16 million people drink in Long Island. As a result, those who drink said water often have discomfort and are more susceptible to illnesses. Thanks to technological advancement, finding these harmful chemicals and other things in drinking water has been more accessible than ever. This furthermore leads to the questions: What chemicals are inside Long Island’s drinking water, and what are the regulations set in place for drinking water?
Chemicals in Long Island’s Drinking Water
The chemicals in the drinking water are hazardous and harmful to those who drink it. The most common contaminant of groundwater in Long Island is a group of chemicals known as VOCs, volatile organic compounds. Generally carcinogenic, these compounds are often used in industrial activities such as high tech, electronics, manufacturing, and more. For example, the chemical 1,4 Dioxane is found in drinkable water sources, a human carcinogen that has been evidenced to lead to liver cancer, chronic kidney and liver problems, and more. Another group of chemicals found in home cleaning products like trichloroethane, trichloroethene, and tetrachloroethylene are substances that irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Long-term effects would be defatting dermatitis or water loss in the skin, which results in whitening of the skin and cracking, and scleroderma-like skin changes. Another study by Dr. Sarah Meyland, director of the center for water resources management, shows how the evidence supports the claim that 3000-5000 varieties of chemicals, called persistent chemicals for their lifespan, are inside the drinking water. This comes from a lack of strong protections for the water.
What is being done to make water safe to drink?
The State of New York has been taking steps to ensure drinking water safety by spending millions of dollars to set drinking water standards. The new treatment systems will improve drinking water and sewage treatment, increasing the quality of water throughout New York. Nassau County also passed a law where water providers must work immediately to rid the wells of these invaders if toxic chemicals are found in drinking wells. If it’s not done in the allotted time, they must be granted more time with a deferral. This deferral gives more time and warns residents and consumers that the water does not meet the stricter standards ensured. Dr. Sarah Meyland explains how water treatment is worst because new filtration systems are delayed thanks to the persistent chemicals requiring new and expensive treatment.
Thanks to new technology, New York State is taking water quality more seriously, implementing new laws and regulations to stop the worsening problem of chemicals inside our drinking water.
Sources:
Long Island Water Quality | High Water Standard. 17 Sept. 2020, www.highwaterstandard.com/blog/long-island-water-quality.
Bonfiglio, Briana. “Report Finds Chemicals above State Limit in 21 Long Island Water Districts.” LI Press, 24 Mar. 2021, www.longislandpress.com/2021/03/24/report-finds-chemicals-above-state-limit-in-21-long-island-water-districts/. Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
“Report: Long Island’s Drinking Water Has Most Contaminants in State.” Citizens Campaign for the Environment, www.citizenscampaign.org/whats-new-at-cce/2019/6/18/report-long-islands-drinking-water-has-most-contaminants-in-state. Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
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