The Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection has cleared the way for a proposed rule that would set maximum contaminant levels of “forever chemicals” in local waterways. The pollutants, so named because of their persistence, are a drinking-water concern to areas like Bucks County that housed former military bases. Frank Kummer highlighted the danger in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

PFAS describes a family of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Their uses included firefighting foam that was often employed by the Department of Defense from the 1940s to the 1970s.

Now, military sites nationwide are working to undo the environmental damage of their remnants.

What makes the effort particularly difficult are the chemicals’ water-resistant properties, cited long ago as a significant advantage. Keeping them out of public water supplies has proven difficult.

Two Bucks County sites are worrisome: The Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, just six miles away.

PFAS exposure has been linked to maladies that include kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and compromised immune systems.

The proposed rule sets stricter PFAS limits compared to a U.S. EPA advisory.

“This rulemaking not only protects our environment from elevated levels of contamination and pollution, but also protects the public health of Pennsylvanians,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

More on ongoing solutions to contain these forever chemicals is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.