Asbestos in Drinking Water: How Much is Too Much?
The presence of asbestos in drinking water is inevitable because of the deterioration and erosion of
asbestos-containing materials present in older structures and in the waste products from various industries.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed limits on the maximum amount of asbestos that
is permitted to be present in drinking water sources before public water suppliers are forced to take
action to decrease the contaminants.
The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed by Congress in 1974. The act holds the EPA accountable for determining
the maximum amount of potentially hazardous chemicals that can safely exist in drinking water sources.
These “safe” levels are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG). The EPA has set the MCLG for
asbestos at 7 million fibers per each liter of water.
Though the EPA has no power to enforce this level, they do have the power to enforce a different standard
called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), which is set as close as possible to the MCLG and based on
the ability of particular water suppliers to detect asbestos in the water and remove it. The MCL for
asbestos has also been set at 7 million fibers per liter of water. All suppliers of public water sources
must abide by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to ensure this standard.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a medical condition related to asbestos exposure, you
may be entitled to legal compensation for your suffering. The knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers
of Williams Kherkher can review your situation and discuss your legal options with you.
>contact our offices at 800-781-3955.
