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In 1976 when the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), our nation’s main chemical safety law was passed, 62,000 chemicals were already in use. All of these chemicals were grandfathered by TSCA; that means they were simply presumed to be safe and EPA was given no mandate to determine whether they are actually safe. Even to require testing of these chemicals under TSCA, EPA must first provide evidence that the chemical may pose a risk, a toxic Catch-22.

In 2005, the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 contained a provision that has come to be known as the “Halliburton Loophole,” it exempts gas drilling and extraction from requirements in the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program of the SDWA.

Since 1976, 22,000 additional chemicals have been introduced and manufacturers have provided little or no information to the EPA regarding their potential health or environmental impacts. These chemicals are found in toys and other children’s products, cleaning and personal care items, furniture, electronics, food and beverage containers, building materials, fabrics, and car interiors.

The general public perception of water purity in contemporary society is severely askew and the relationship between clean water and good health, though obvious, is often entirely overlooked.

The fact is that no one knows what the health effects of these chemicals are!

Does the SDWA keep our tap water sufficient for optimal health, or just enough to get by?

The water we use and consume daily, whether bottled, filtered, tap, well or municipal, does it have any adverse effects on health and well being?

In the wake of these realities drinking water safety is of primary concern; the unfortunate reality is that bottled water and filters also provide water of questionable quality while the plastic bottles and filters inevitably end up in the landfill, only to further contaminate the fast diminishing groundwater.
