Benzene In Water Debated In Florida

Benzene is at the center of policy dispute in Florida, where officials are considering a revamp of water-quality rules for the first time in decades.

Benzene, a cancer-causing petroleum byproduct, is up for debate as the state’s Environmental Regulation Commission votes on water-quality standards for 100 toxic chemicals at a meeting this week, according to Florida Today. The U.S. EPA will have final sign-off.

The vote is “coming at the same time the state is grappling with a myriad of water-quality problems, including slimy toxic algae blooms that shut down Atlantic beaches several times,” TCPalm reported.

The federal Clean Water Act requires that states periodically review their standards, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida has not updated this set of water standards since 1992.

Critics charge that Florida regulators are poised to water down state standards for water quality. Linda Young, executive director of the nonprofit Clean Water Network, had some sarcastic remarks about the new proposal.

"Yeah, we want more chloroform in our fish, in our drinking water," she said, per Florida Today. "Yeah, we want more dry cleaning fluid in our food and fish."

“Roughly half of the 43 chemicals DEP regulates would have weaker standards than what's in place now. And most of the 82 chemicals would have limits less stringent than those recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when factors like local fish consumption are considered,” TCPalm reported, citing opponents.

State regulators, however, say that the review process with fortify Florida’s water-quality codes.

“DEP and EPA are strengthening Florida's water quality standards, not weakening them. Moving forward with the proposed criteria is critical to better protect Floridians’ health because the criteria nearly doubles the number of chemicals that the department will be able to regulate. The proposed rule sets stringent and protective criteria for 39 chemicals that currently have no limits,” the agency said.

For similar stories visit Water Online’s Drinking Water Regulations And Legislation Solutions Center.