The Environmental Protection Agency's proposing limits on toxic forever chemicals and drinking water. I Norman hall, the EPA proposal calls for the first federal limits on harmful forever chemicals in drinking water. The agency says the protection will save thousands of lives and prevent serious illnesses, including cancer. The plan with limit toxic per and polyfluorinated substances called pfas, the group of compounds or widespread and dangerous and expensive to remove from water. They don't degrade in the environment and are linked to a broad range of health issues including low birth weight and kidney cancer.