Potentially harmful chemicals found in U.S. faucets, but Lincoln appears to be safe

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Drinking water from nearly half of the faucets in our country contains potentially harmful chemicals.

That’s according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Researchers say the synthetic compounds known as PFAS, or forever chemicals, may cause cancer and other health problems.

This is the first such nationwide study and includes large cities as well as small towns.

Researchers found at least one form of PFAS in about 45% of tap water samples across the country.

The heaviest exposures were in urban centers, including communities throughout the Great Plains.

The USGS is a scientific research agency, so it doesn’t make any policy recommendations.

The study’s lead author, Kelly Smalling, said the information “can be used to evaluate risk of exposure and inform decisions about whether or not you want to treat your drinking water, get it tested or get more information from your state about the situation locally.”

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed the first federal drinking water limits on six forms of PFAS back in March, and a final decision could be made later this year.

Channel 8 will reach out to the City of Lincoln to find out if it’s gone over this new research and if there is any cause for alarm here in our area.

Data collected between 2016 and 2021 appears to indicate that the chemicals haven’t been detected here.