The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it plans to issue stricter regulations on toxins in the country’s drinking water .
The new restrictions are in response to a recent study which revealed the presence of hundreds of toxic industrial and agricultural substances in drinking water throughout the U.S.
One chemical targeted by the new regulations, a know carcinogen named perchlorate, has leached into groundwater in 400 locations across the country. According to the EPA, the drinking water in 26 states contains measurable amounts of perchlorate, affecting millions of Americans.
The new regulations will set stricter standards for 16 toxic chemicals known to have adverse effects on human health and development.