Water woes lead EPA to toughen fluorochemical rules

The chemicals, which are also used in firefighting foams, upholstery, carpets and paper food packaging for their non-stick characteristics and process stability, have drawn widespread concern in recent years after turning up in drinking water supplies, sometimes at levels linked to health risks. More than 200 state government officials and representatives of environmental groups gathered at the invitation-only EPA forum, billed as a "National Leadership Summit" on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, to talk about how to proceed.