At the same time that EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced a shift in discovery policy, she also announced that the agency will require controls for four contaminants that have been linked to cancer.

In the newly finalized review of existing drinking water standards, the EPA determined that scientific advances allow for stricter regulations for the carcinogenic compounds tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, acrylamide and epichlorohydrin. Within the next year, Jackson said, the agency will initiate rulemaking efforts to revise the tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene standards. Revision of epichlorohydrin and acrylamide standards will follow later.

Tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene are used in industrial and/or textile processing and can be introduced into drinking water from contaminated ground or surface water sources. Acrylamide and epichlorohydrin are impurities that can be introduced into drinking water during the water treatment process.

Links

• More information on the six-year review