WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. EPA will hold a day-long, virtual public hearing on Thursday as a part of the agency's efforts to tighten standards on so-called "forever chemicals" in drinking water supplies around the country. 

The hearing, which will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is an effort to hear the public's concerns over the chemicals, which are technically known as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. 

These synthetic contaminants were widely produced for years, ramping up from the 60s to the 80s, she said. What makes PFAS dangerous is its unique, persistent properties.

Studies have shown that standard water treatment does not remove these chemicals and over time they can be linked to health problems including cancer, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, among others .

There is currently no federal or statewide regulation of PFAS in drinking water and the EPA is looking to set regulations based on guidance the agency issued in 2016, which changed its recommended PFOS health advisory from 70 to 0.02 ppt (parts per trillion) and listed a "minimum reporting level" of 4 ppt. 

In a Watchdog Report back in January, 21 News found that these chemicals are nearly five times that level for the Mahoning Valley's largest water supplier, the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District. 

The MVSD has estimated that the cost to come into compliance with new standards could be in the tens of millions of dollars.