Author: Daily Upsider

Despite significant opposition from the chemical industry, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its initial regulations aimed at limiting the presence of PFAs, known as ‘forever chemicals,’ in American drinking water.

PFAs, also known as Polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been extensively used for their fire, oil, stain, and water-resistant properties in various products such as waterproof clothing, stain-resistant furniture, and non-stick cooking surfaces. Despite their widespread use, PFAs are associated with health risks, prompting the EPA to take action.

The new regulations mandate water utilities to test for six different classes of PFAS compounds, aiming to reduce exposure and lower health risks for an estimated 100 million people in the US. To support this effort, a $1 billion fund for treatment and testing will be allocated to water utilities nationwide, part of a broader $9 billion investment under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at assisting communities affected by PFAS contamination.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the urgency of addressing PFAS contamination, stating that communities have suffered from contaminated drinking water for too long. Under Regan’s leadership, the EPA has been actively working since 2021 to address PFAS contamination, gathering data and requiring increased reporting from businesses regarding the use of these unregulated substances.

Scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to various health issues, though the exact effects can be challenging to specify due to the diversity of compounds and sources. Nonetheless, the EPA is giving water utility operators five years to test for PFAS pollution and implement necessary treatment technologies, with an estimated 6%–10% of facilities needing such upgrades.

Four decades ago, fishermen in the southern regions of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, employed a destructive fishing method: blasting the reefs with dynamite to stun fish and easily collect them. This practice severely damaged the vibrant coral ecosystems, leaving behind rubble where new coral larvae struggled to take root.

Despite such drastic devastation, these reefs are experiencing a revival, thanks to the collaborative efforts of local residents, Indonesian and British scientists, and the introduction of an innovative device known as the “Reef Stars.” These structures, resembling six-legged spiders the size of coffee tables, have played a pivotal role in the reef’s recovery, showing results so promising that new research indicates these rehabilitated areas closely resemble their healthy neighboring reefs.

The interconnected metal stars create a steel and coral lattice that covers significant areas, effectively forming a hybrid, cyborg-like reef. Recent research indicates that these hybrid reefs show promising signs of recovery, resembling healthy reefs in various key indicators.

The findings, published in March in Current Biology, showed that reefs replanted just four years prior exhibited similar levels of carbonate exoskeleton production as natural reefs, and the coral cover increased from 17% to over 50%—comparable to healthy reefs.

The reliance on specific, fast-growing coral types preferred by restorationists has been a weakness in places like Florida, where a recent underwater heatwave decimated many transplanted corals. Fortunately, the Indonesian approach benefits from greater genetic diversity among the corals used and more favorable ocean conditions. While other global reefs have suffered from this problem, the corals in Indonesian waters have remained comparatively healthy.