EPA rolls out final rule for clean drinking water, hopes to decrease PFAS across water systems [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short, are the chemicals that make coats waterproof or pans non-stick.

But they’re also the chemicals that cause long-term health effects, like increased risks of high cholesterol, obesity, and certain types of cancer.

“Things like liver cancers and kidney cancers, heart attacks, strokes, and one of the unique things about PFAS is it reduces our immunity systems,” said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Administrator, Martha Guzman. “So many reasons why we’re driving this, but ultimately, it’s the public health of our constituents, nationally and here in Arizona.”

Here in southern Arizona, we don’t have to look far for PFAS, or what the EPA considers hazardous waste.

“It extends from the southside of Tucson near the two airports, Davis-Monthan and Tucson International, and extends all the way to the northwest, through the Town of Marana, and up until …