EDITORIAL: Come clean on report about toxins

June 07--The government is finally weighing whether to declare some fluorinated compounds that are byproducts of industry to be hazardous and to set firm limits on how much is acceptable in our drinking water. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt told a conference in Washington, D.C., a couple of weeks ago, "The process needs to begin."

Despite assurances that his agency will have some answers by year's end, however, others in Washington are less enthusiastic about dealing with this pressing health concern. A much-anticipated report on the toxins, said to have been kept under wraps lest it unleash a "public relations nightmare," has yet to be released. Many expect the report to paint a starker picture of the nature and presence of the chemicals, known as PFOAs and PFOS, than is already known.

In the meantime, state regulators and local officials face decisions without important guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency or as much information about these chemicals as they could and should have. These toxins have been detected in New Hampshire and Massachusetts -- at old industrial sites, landfills and in community wells. If government research suggests the need to further limit exposure, by all means, the public must know.

Efforts to block the study's release were first reported by Politico. According to the news site, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, was ready to share its findings with the public when the White House put a stop to it, concerned about a probable backlash. Politico cited White House emails obtained by the Union of Concerned Scientists under the federal Freedom of Information Act.

That revelation -- of a report kept locked in a drawer for fear of the firestorm it would create -- drew strong rebukes from Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan has said it is "deeply troubling" that the study remains under seal.

"Families who have been exposed to emerging contaminants in their drinking water have a right to know about any health impacts," she said in a statement, "and keeping such information from the public threatens the safety, health and vitality of communities across our country."

The chemicals in question were once used to make a range of products, from pots and pans to carpets and fabrics. For many years they were found in the firefighting foam used by the military and local fire departments.

The risk of exposure is still being studied, but the chemicals are believed to be associated with birth defects, thyroid problems and cancer.

And their presence is widespread. Unsurprisingly they've been found in the water of dozens of military bases. Just last year, environmental officials in New Hampshire, who routinely check the water near current and former fire stations, issued a warning for the presence of the chemicals near a Dunkin Donuts and local sandwich shop. The businesses assured customers they use filtration equipment and routinely test their water.

Despite Pruitt's assurances that the EPA is now focused on these toxins, others are skeptical the agency will actually do anything. The EPA hasn't touched drinking water standards in two decades, they've noted, and it seems unlikely to change course on Pruitt's watch. Certainly the urge to stifle this report, though perhaps not by Pruitt himself, does nothing to allay those concerns.

We hope Pruitt proves them wrong. The wrangle over this report isn't just another of those internal struggles in Washington. What it has to say is important to real people, affecting our communities and our health.

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