U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to update its drinking water guidelines for chemical contaminants recently found in some upstate New York water supplies.
Schumer is asking the EPA to immediately release new drinking water guidelines for PFOA- and PFOS-related contaminations.
The industrial chemicals have recently turned up in water supplies in Newburgh and Hoosick Falls. Elevated levels of the perflourinated chemicals can cause serious health effects.
Schumer says communities "need clear guidelines" from EPA to develop steps to protect public health.
Also this week, Congressman Chris Gibson asked for a federal investigation into the federal and state response into PFOA contamination cases in Rensselaer County.
